Vermont is often referred to as one of the whitest states in the country. That reality, while statistically true, should never deter us from embracing the full breadth of American history — including the parts that are painful, powerful and essential to our shared identity. Juneteenth is one of those moments.
Juneteenth — June 19 — marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. It represents not just the end of slavery, but also the beginning of a long, unfinished journey toward racial equity in this country. It’s a reminder that freedom, delayed, is still a triumph worth celebrating, and that justice, even when incomplete, must continue to be pursued.
Some might ask why we celebrate Juneteenth in Vermont, where the Black population is small and communities of color are often few and far between. My answer is simple: because truth, justice, and freedom belong to everyone. We don’t honor Juneteenth only for Black Americans — we honor it for all Americans. Because the fight against slavery and systemic racism isn’t just a Black struggle — it’s a national one. And if we are to move forward as a people, we must understand and embrace the history that shaped us, even — and especially — the parts that challenge us.
That is why I am proud to invite you to the fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration hosted by the towns of Hartford, Bethel and Lebanon, taking place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Lyman Point Park in White River Junction. This event is about more than remembrance — it’s about joy, resilience, and community. We’ll have live music, free food, face painting, games for kids, and powerful speeches from leaders and students alike. I’m especially honored to share the stage with incredible voices like Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Executive Councilor Karen Liot Hill, and Shirley A. Jefferson of Vermont Law and Graduate School, among others.
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors like COOP Food Stores, Boloco Restaurant, Hannaford Supermarket and Katie’s Cookies, this celebration will once again be free and open to all. Bring your family, your friends, your curiosity, and your heart.
In this moment in history, when division so often grabs the spotlight, let’s come together to celebrate what unites us — the belief that freedom should never be partial, and justice should never be conditional. Juneteenth is not just Black history. It’s American history. And it deserves to be honored by all of us.
State Sen. Joe Major, D-Windsor, lives in White River Junction.