Juneteenth celebrations marking the end of slavery in United States
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Juneteenth 2025 marks the historic end of slavery with solemn remembrance and renewed calls for justice across the U.S.
A Nation Reflects on Freedom
Across the United States, communities gathered on Thursday to mark Juneteenth, the anniversary of June 19, 1865—when enslaved Black people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The day serves as a powerful reminder of the long and painful legacy of slavery in the U.S., and the ongoing fight for racial justice.
Portsmouth’s Hidden History Honored
In New Hampshire, the Black Heritage Trail hosted a week-long series of Juneteenth events, culminating in a moving rededication of the African Burying Ground in the historic seaport city of Portsmouth. The site, dating back to the 18th century, contains the graves of both freed and enslaved Africans and had been erased from the public eye for generations.
Rediscovery Sparks Remembrance
The burial ground was accidentally uncovered in 2003 during construction work, sparking a major community effort to restore and honor the sacred site. A memorial park now stands in its place as a symbol of truth and reconciliation. “It was built over, covered up, and erased from memory,” said JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of Black Heritage Trail NH. “Now, during Juneteenth 2025, we gather so the city never forgets those buried there.”
Emancipation Came Too Late
Boggis reflected on the significance of the date, emphasizing the two-and-a-half-year delay between Lincoln’s proclamation and when Texas finally informed its enslaved population. “It’s a commemoration that reminds us how delayed justice often is,” she said. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, had technically freed enslaved people in Confederate states, but enforcement was slow and uneven.
Emotional Truths and Reflections
Rev. Robert Thompson, emeritus director of the organization, imagined the mixed emotions of those first hearing the news of their freedom in 1865. “I imagine there was some joy. But also some anger,” he said. “I would have been a little ticked off to know I had been free for two years, and nobody told me.”
New Hampshire’s Complicated Legacy
Although Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, not all states observe it officially. New Hampshire—one of the least racially diverse states in the country—has yet to declare it a state holiday. Advocates like Boggis say this reflects a need for deeper recognition and action. “Being silent about history is not neutral—it’s erasure,” she said.
Celebrating in a Shifting Political Climate
This year’s Juneteenth celebrations also take place against a backdrop of political tension in the United States. President Donald Trump has drawn criticism for dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies. He has also reportedly removed content related to Black American history from federal websites.
Advocates Push Back
Critics say these actions threaten the very progress Juneteenth represents. Civil rights organizations have called the policy changes “regressive” and have urged the public to use Juneteenth not only as a time of reflection but as a call to protect historical truth and resist ongoing systemic injustice.
A Living Legacy
For those gathered in Portsmouth and across the nation, Juneteenth remains a solemn celebration—marking freedom won, injustice endured, and hope renewed. Memorials like the African Burying Ground stand as living reminders of those lost to history and those whose resilience shaped it.
As Rev. Thompson concluded: “We gather not just to remember, but to remind ourselves of the work still left undone. Freedom delayed is never freedom denied—so long as we keep telling the truth.”
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