SFPL Celebrates Juneteenth

President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation may have been issued on Jan. 1, 1863 but it wasn’t until June 19, 1865—more than two years later—that slaves in Texas finally received word of freedom. The annual emancipation celebration became known as Juneteenth and was carried by Texans to California.

Wanda Ravernell, director of Omnira (freedom) Projects, will lead a Juneteenth celebration with music and history at the Western Addition Branch Library from 2-5 p.m. on June 6.

Women wearing full, colorful skirts, representing the freedom of movement, will lead the audience in traditional freedom songs and encourage the audience to share their own ancestors’ freedom stories.

San Francisco Public Library will also participate in the citywide Juneteenth Celebration, which is being held at Civic Center Plaza on Saturday, June 20 and 21.