2. New York

The Excelsior State declared Juneteenth a public holiday in 2020 for New Yorkers to commemorate the end of slavery for African Americans, according to the New York State Senate website. Many communities throughout the state plan to organize different events to celebrate the annual holiday.

In New York City, there are events that residents or out-of-state visitors can participate in with family and friends. From Black business expos and festivals to Afrobeats parties, game nights and bar crawls, there’s an event for everyone to enjoy.

Counties in upstate New York also plan to have their Juneteenth celebrations this month. For example, in Peterboro, a historical hamlet to the town of Smithfield in Madison County, organizers will host a three-day Freedom Festival beginning on Saturday, June 17, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Community Center. According to I Love NY, those who attend will enjoy excerpts from different authors and their work about freedom.

United States of America

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