LVHM:

A “Juneteenth: Freedom Day” commemoration will be held at 1 p.m. June 16 at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown.

“Juneteenth,” or “Freedom Day,” has been observed annually in the United States since 1865 as the date to remember for the end of slavery in the U.S.

The Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum will host a slide-lecture commemorating “Juneteenth” and exploring the historic and significant role enslaved black Americans played working for and promoting their own freedom, said Joseph Garrera Executive Director of the Museum.

On June 19, 1865, the Union Army in Texas issued an order proclaiming the end of slavery in that state. June 19 offered a rallying point for the newly-freed slaves, and annual celebrations of “Juneteenth” (a combination of the words “June” and “nineteenth”) began a year later.

Information: lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org; 484-553-2592