Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas; more specifically the emancipation of enslaved Africans throughout the United States of America.
On Saturday, June 22, 2019, the Juneteenth Celebration in Philadelphia will begin with an “Honor Our Ancestors” breakfast followed by a parade and music festival. The parade route will start at 52nd and Jefferson Streets and move south on 52nd Street ending with a music festival at Malcolm X Park, 52nd and Pine Streets. The new parade route will provide an opportunity to highlight local businesses and bring more commerce to the historical 52nd street business district.
Local and national celebrities are expected to be present and the parade will be telecast.
Special ceremony will take place at the festival, renaming 52nd Street to Muhammad Ali Way
The 2018 Juneteenth Parade, which was televised on 6 ABC to over 1 million viewers, drew over 1,500 participants, 20 floats and approximately 10,000 attendees. Those numbers are expected to double for 2019.