Happy Juneteenth
June 19, 2026
In observance of the Juneteenth holiday, St. Philip’s office will be closed and staff will be off work on Friday, June 19. 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.
Almighty God, you rescued your people from slavery in Egypt, and throughout the ages you have never failed to hear the cries of the captives; We remember before you our sisters and brothers in Galveston, Texas who on this day received the glad tidings of their emancipation; Forgive us for the many grave sins that delayed that liberating word; Anoint us with your Spirit to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Find a Juneteenth celebration
From block parties to educational events, there are many ways to participate!
Click here to discover Juneteenth events in Durham.