Texas State and San Marcos to celebrate Juneteenth events

The federal holiday commemorates emancipation in Texas

Inside TXST

Texas State University | June 8, 2023

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with Union troops at the end of the Civil War to occupy Texas and deliver news of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

African Americans in Texas and beyond have long celebrated the anniversary of June 19 with Juneteenth celebrations, and in 2021, President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

According to Texas State University’s Division of Inclusive Excellence, “Juneteenth has become not only a time to commemorate Black liberation from the institution of slavery, but also a time to highlight the resilience, solidarity, and culture of the Black community. It is a time for Black Americans to reflect on their ancestral roots.”

Numerous events in San Marcos will celebrate Juneteenth:

• Texas State University will hold a Juneteenth Jamboree at Sewell Park from 2-5 p.m. on Monday, June 19.
• The Dunbar Heritage Association will host a Juneteenth Community Celebration at Dunbar Recreation Center in San Marcos from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. The association will also host a Juneteenth Freedom Run at 7 a.m. Monday, June 19, at Dunbar Recreation Center.
• Buda will host a Juneteenth Community Celebration at Buda City Park Pavilion from 10 a.m-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.