06/19/2026
While Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in Texas, the path to freedom was not immediate everywhere. In New Jersey, slavery ended through a long, gradual process that began in 1804 and was not fully abolished until 1866, following ratification of the 13th Amendment. Juneteenth offers an opportunity to reflect on both the celebration of freedom and the continued journey toward equality.