Juneteenth

Juneteenth Image Header

The City of Norfolk is committed to acknowledging our history and celebrating the diversity of our city by commemorating Juneteenth as a day of recognition, restoration, and celebration.

Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, a word created by joining the words "June" and "nineteenth" together. It honors June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, the last of the former Confederate states to abolish slavery, finally heard that the Civil War had ended, and learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had made them free nearly two years earlier.

In honor of Juneteenth, the City of Norfolk is hosting is a variety in-person and virtual event from June 13th -18th. Join us as we further our commitment to being a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive city by attending one or all of the events.

Norfolk Public Libraries

Adult Programs

  • Juneteenth Trivia Contest will run June 13-17, 2022. Patrons may participate via associated social media posts or by coming in the branch to submit answers. All who answer correctly will be entered into prize drawing. The prize will consist of an Ancestry DNA Kit, Flavors of Africa: Discover Authentic Family Recipes from All Over the Continent cookbook, the 1619 Project book collection, and a Ghanaian Wing U-Shopper Bolga Basket. 

Youth Services

  • Celebrate Juneteenth with Storyteller Eunice Shands will premiere virtually on June 18, 2022 @ 2 PM via NPL’s Facebook Page. Eunice Shands will conduct a book talk on the picture book The 1619 Project: Born on the Water.
  • Frederick Douglass: “On Slavery and Emancipation” performance will premiere June 18 @ 8 AM. As portrayed by Nathan Richardson, Frederick Douglass shares true tales of his life of being enslaved, his escape to freedom, and his rise as a great writer, orator, and abolitionist. Mr. Douglass will recite an excerpt from his most famous speech, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July.” Registration required. Email NPLPrograms@norfolk.gov for access. 

Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library

  • Community Day will take place on June 18, 2022, from 12-4 PM. This event will encompass a celebration of Juneteenth, Black Music Month, and the Summer Reading Program Kickoff. The following activities and attractions will take place.
    1. Opening Ceremony
    2. Youth Band
    3. Gospel Choir
    4. Arts & Crafts
    5. Inflatables
    6. StoryWalk ® with 1619 Project book “Born on the Water”
    7. Children’s Village
    8. & Much more 

Slover Library 

Juneteenth Freedom Festival @ Slover

Saturday, June 18 from 1 PM to 5:30 PM

1 PM to 3 PM Juneteenth Stations - Slover Forum | 4 PM Juneteenth the Production - Room 650

Slover Library and TRS Productions proudly present the 2022 Juneteenth Freedom Festival. This free family event features aa vendor fair, drum circles, African dance classes, music trivia, art, a living history museum, an "At the Table" soul food exhibit, and an African “American Heritage in Stitching Freedom Quilt” presentation. Festivities conclude with a theatrical performance, "Juneteenth the Production," where visitors journey back in time with two grandparents to learn the historical significance of Freedom Day (Juneteenth). (All Ages)