Celebrating Juneteenth

NC State community:

This Saturday, June 19, marks 156 years since the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom — more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. On Saturday, our nation will commemorate Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day or Liberation Day. 

In observance of this critically important event in our country’s history, no classes will be held at NC State on Friday, June 18. 

The first Juneteenth was a great day of celebration, and it remains so today. At the same time, our country continues to grapple with the effects of slavery, Jim Crow laws and the ongoing injustices of systemic racism. As this important date reminds us, we all must remain fully committed to doing the necessary work in front of us now to ensure an inclusive and equitable society, including and especially right here at NC State. 

This year on Juneteenth, please take time to learn about, celebrate and honor the incredible contributions of Black Americans to our university, our state and our nation. Take time to reflect on where we are as a community as it relates to achieving racial equality and what more we must do. And, perhaps most importantly, take time to identify what role you will play in moving the Pack forward toward inclusion and equality for all. 

Randy Woodson
Chancellor