PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Monday is Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Americans.
Celebrations have been taking place all weekend long across Hampton Roads. Portsmouth’s Freedom Day Festival drew large crowds Sunday evening, all in celebration of Juneteenth.
“Just to see all the people come out – African Americans come out and celebrate and have a good time,” said Mae Cofield, a Hampton Roads resident.
While freedom celebrations have taken place since the end of slavery, it wasn’t always called Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth, I guess it kind of had a ring to it," said Old Dominion University Assistant Professor of African American History Marvin Chiles.
Chiles said before Juneteenth became popularized, Virginians celebrated Emancipation Day.
“We didn’t celebrate Juneteenth here. Juneteenth was celebrated in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, mainly in the Gulf Coast region,” Chiles explained.
Chiles said it wasn’t until the late 90s when the term Juneteenth made its way to Hampton Roads. He called the name a “unifying force” for all the different freedom celebrations across the country.
“It’s the day when American ideals of everyone being born equal, everyone should have equal say in their government -- it was the day when that would begin to be true for Black Americans,” Chiles said
It was only in 2021 that President Joe Biden signed a bill, making June 19 a federal holiday. Now, the holiday is bigger than ever, with celebrations taking place all across Hampton Roads.
“To see our entire nation, our state and our community celebrating together, it’s nothing that I would ever miss,” said Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales.
If you missed the celebration this evening, there will be a couple more festivals across Hampton Roads Monday. You can find out more by clicking here.