Eric Smith

The Los Angeles Chargers are proud to commemorate Juneteenth as an important day in our nation's history to abolish slavery among Black men and women.

On "Freedom's Eve," or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were Black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the South reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through theThirteenth Amendmentdid emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.

The post-emancipation period known as Reconstruction (1865-1877) marked an era of great hope, uncertainty and struggle for the nation as a whole. Formerly enslaved people immediately sought to reunify families, establish schools, run for political office, push radical legislation and even sue slaveholders for compensation. Given the 200-plus years of enslavement, such changes were nothing short of amazing. Not even a generation out of slavery, African Americans were inspired and empowered to transform their lives and their country.

Juneteenth marks our country's second Independence Day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.

In 2021, Juneteenth was recognized as a Federal Holiday due to the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee and others. The original celebrations were church-centered community gatherings in Texas.

Here are a handful of upcoming community events centered for Juneteenth:

Leimert Park Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, June 19 (noon to 8 p.m.)

Leimert Park Village

Info:https://culture.lacity.gov/event/leimert-park-juneteenth-celebration/

Free admission

LA County Parks Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 21 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Jackie Robinson Park

Info:https://parks.lacounty.gov/scheduled-events/

Free admission

LA County Parks Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 21 (2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Don Knabe Park

Info:https://parks.lacounty.gov/scheduled-events/

Free admission

Culver City Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 21 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Ivy Station

Info:https://www.culvercity.org/Events-directory/Culver-City-Juneteenth-Celebration-2025

Free admission