Juneteenth Celebration
2025 Juneteenth Celebration: The Future of History
Westminster University will honor Juneteenth National Freedom Day with a panel conversation on Thursday, June 12 from 12–1:30 p.m. At a time when national debates are intensifying over whose histories are preserved, erased, or politicized, this year’s program will center Juneteenth as both a historic milestone and a living, evolving symbol of freedom. Together, the campus community will reflect on what it means to preserve, challenge, and reimagine historical narratives in an era marked by book bans, curriculum restrictions, and cultural silencing. Join for a curated lunch experience, a screening of Black-ish's "Juneteenth" episode, and a panel discussion featuring local civic and community leaders.
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to inform and ensure that enslaved Blacks were finally freed following the end of the Civil War. The troops’ arrival occurred 2.5 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday has been celebrated by Black Americans since the late-19th century.
Juneteenth National Freedom Day became a federal holiday in 2021. The state of Utah added it to its list of state-observed holidays the following year.
The Juneteenth Flag
The Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith. The flag uses the red, white, and blue colors from the American flag, representing the fact that all formerly enslaved Black Americans and their descendants are American. It also features a bursting star over a horizontal arc, symbolizing freedom and a new horizon for Black Americans in all 50 states.
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Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion