Elizabethtown College is recognizing and celebrating Juneteenth which takes place annually on June 19. Established as a federal holiday in 2021 as a celebration of resilience, Juneteenth honors this day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, delivering the order that the last enslaved Black people were officially freed.
The College will observe the holiday on Monday, June 20. Classes will remain in session with non-essential administrative offices being closed. The Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being, as well as the High Library, will be closed from June 18 to 20, while Dining Services will operate under normal hours of operation.
“As we work to create a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion and build a sense of belonging for all at Etown, I encourage everyone to continue to educate ourselves about Juneteenth and its significance,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “Our intentional focus on fostering and weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into all components of our campus has never been more important.”
In honor of this day, all members of our community are encouraged to discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food, and freedom with several Juneteenth resources: