Office closed Thursday for Juneteenth Holiday
June 19, 2025
St. Philip’s office will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. We encourage you to take time that day to reflect, learn, and join in the celebrations happening across Durham!
What is Juneteenth?
On June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation – Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were finally free. More than 250,000 people received the news that day, marking the end of slavery in the most remote part of the Confederacy.
That long-delayed freedom was met with prayer, tears, song and dance – an outpouring of joy that became the first Juneteenth celebration.
Juneteenth – a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth” – is now a federal holiday and a time to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. For generations, Black communities have marked the day with parades, cookouts, and community gatherings. Today, the Juneteenth federal holiday invites all Americans to reflect on our shared history – and commit to a future shaped by justice, reconciliation, and equity.
Find a Juneteenth celebration
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Durham’s Juneteenth celebration. From block parties to educational events, there are many ways to participate!
Click here to discover Juneteenth events in Durham.