© 2024 | Jefferson Public Radio
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6301 | 800.782.6191
Listen | Discover | Engage a service of Southern Oregon University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Celebrating Slavery's End, On "Juneteenth"

Mrs. Charles Stephenson (Grace Murray), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=879725
A Juneteenth celebration in Texas, 1900.

It is one of the most significant dates in American history: June 19, 1865.  That is the day that Union troops arriving in South Texas informed the community that slaves were free, two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. 
The month and date got contracted to "Juneteenth" over the years, and the occasion is now observed in many communities around the country.  Oregon Shakespeare Festival always puts on a joyous celebration.  

We check in with this and other Juneteenth events around the region.  

Stay Connected
The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.