The African American Heritage Trail of Martha's Vineyard has announced a weekend of events to celebrate Juneteenth.
Island businesses and nonprofit organizations are joining forces this year to celebrate the newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, with a weekend filled with art, music and lectures by leading scholars of black history.
Over 45 people gathered at the Narragansett House in Oak Bluffs Saturday to celebrate Juneteenth, and its new status as a federal holiday.
This Saturday marks the first year in which Juneteenth will be celebrated as a state holiday.
Hundreds gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Vineyard Haven Friday to join a march for racial justice and equality, organized in honor of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth traces its beginnings to June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas first learned of their freedom two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The Martha’s Vineyard branch of the NAACP will hold its annual Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Spring street in Vineyard Haven.