Minnesota Historical Society Celebrates the Past and Present of Juneteenth

ST. PAUL, Minn (June 14, 2024) – The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is commemorating Juneteenth – both past and present. MNHS launched a new website that shares the holiday’s origins, how it has changed over time, and the ongoing stories of Black freedom celebrations.

The site collects historical accounts, including videos with primary sources, and additional resources designed to help visitors embrace Juneteenth’s rich history. There is also a place to collect stories from the public in the form of videos, photos, or words and information on more than 50 celebrations happening throughout the state this month.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery and became a federal holiday in 2021 and a state holiday in Minnesota in 2023. It marks the day–June 19, 1865–when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved people that they were free. 

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.