In recognition of Juneteenth, Columbia University Irving Medical Center's African, Black and Caribbean Employee Resource Group held an outdoor festival on Haven Plaza.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States by honoring the events of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that they were free and the Civil War was over. Learn more about Juneteenth.
Attendees at the CUIMC event enjoyed live music, dance performances, sweet treats, and giveaways. Resources offering information about the history of Juneteenth and its significance were also available.
Juneteenth became an official University holiday this year and was established as a federal holiday in 2021.
"Observing Juneteenth is the opportunity for us to come together as a community to recognize and celebrate the importance of this day, to honor and acknowledge the experiences of all those who have endured racism and discrimination, to commit ourselves to advancing the dreams of freedom this holiday represents, and to renew our collective commitment to ideals of freedom," said Dan Driscoll, vice president of Columbia University Human Resources, in a statement announcing the adoption of the University holiday.
