The History Of Juneteenth In Idaho And Beyond

By Sasa Woodruff

Published June 17, 2021 at 2:23 PM MDT

Juneteenth photo.jpeg — Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900 held in "East Woods" on East 24th Street. Mrs. Grace Murray Stephenson also kept a diary of the day's events which she sold to the San Francisco Chronicle.

June 19, 1865 marked the final emancipation of slaves in the United States. Many Black Americans have celebrated this day for more than a hundred and fifty years.

Now that it's a federal holiday, Idaho Matters looks back on its history and what this day means for all Americans — in Idaho and around the country. Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo history professor Thanayi Jackson and Idaho Black History Museum Executive Director Phillip Thompson also share their personal connection to Juneteenth, and their hopes for the day going forward.

Tags

Sasa Woodruff

When I was a University of Utah freshman, I marched up the hill to KUER to hand deliver a $20 check. The receptionist was so excited a teen listened (and donated!) to public radio that she told me to call the news director for an internship. I did and I've been working in media ever since.

See stories by Sasa Woodruff