JuneteenthICT

the Official Wichita KS Celebration

The celebration will take place Friday, June 4 through Friday, June 25, 2021.

Check out the schedule of events here.

Thank you to our premier sponsor

Spirit Aerosystems

Power 93.5

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History

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863.

In less than 50 years post-slavery and reconstruction, ex-slaves migrated to the mid-west regions of America. This is also known as the Exodusters movement/great migration. This resulted in many African Americans relocating to states such as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri for greater opportunities, land purchase, and work.

Juneteenth has been celebrated in Wichita Kansas as early as the 1900’s when blacks would celebrate what they considered to be their Independence Day. Juneteenth celebrations included song, story readings, food, and dance.

Juneteenth celebrations have evolved into outward celebrations consisting of uplifting themes, parades, live dramas, art shows, poetry jams, panel discussions, unity initiatives among all ethnicities, and more.

Check out last year's programs on FB

www.facebook.com/JuneteenthICT/

JuneteenthICT could not host this growing Wichita tradition without the volunteer committee and the amazing sponsors. The list continues to grow and we are humble and thankful by those who invest.