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Arlington County celebrates Juneteenth this year by recognizing the contributions of Black Americans to our society, and specifically to our community. We are committed to preserving and honoring the history of those who sacrificed and paved the way for progress while ensuring equitable measures are implemented for the future of Arlington’s Black communities. Our work to forward racial equity in our governmental processes, investments and actions honor their resilience and reward their excellence.
About Juneteenth: Short for June Nineteenth, it marks when Union Army soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, to declare that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state (which was under Confederate control during the American Civil War) were freed through the Emancipation Proclamation made effective in 1863. It is an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. and was officially declared a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth Events Around Arlington
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Juneteenth Peace Rally – Fri., June 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom – Sat., June 18, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
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Columbia Pike Blues Festival 25th Anniversary – Sat., June 18, 1-8:30 p.m.
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WalkArlington Presents: Juneteenth Black Heritage Walk – Sun., June 19, 10-11:30 a.m.
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A Conversation with Amina Luqman-Dawson – Wed., June 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
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Book Talk with Local Author Wilma Jones – Thurs., June 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
FREED Sculpture at John Robinson, Jr. Town Square.
Designed by artist Walter Hood, the FREED sculpture at the John Robinson, Jr. Town Square pays homage to the notion of freedom and Freedman’s Village, a 19th century community for escaped slaves and free persons established in Arlington at the end of the Civil War.
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Ways to Learn
Realizing Arlington’s Commitment to Equity
Arlington is committed to advancing racial equity by eliminating, reducing, and preventing disparities in our policies, procedures practices, engagement, and services. Learn more through our Race and Ethnicity Dashboard and our Racial History Timelines.
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Interact with Arlington
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Delve into Project DAPS, an online exhibit and archive about the desegregation of Arlington Public Schools, featuring holdings of the Center for Local History.
- Visit local historic districts that are significant to the County for their connection to Black history and culture:
Juneteenth Peace Rally
 Come join Arlington County Black Employees Council, virtually or in-person, for the 2022 Juneteenth Peace Rally on June 17.
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