More than 100 people gathered June 15 in front of Columbus City Hall to celebrate the day federal troops informed enslaved African Americans in Texas that they were free – two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The June 15 lighting of City Hall was joined by several City Council members and other city and state elected officials, including state Sen. Hearcel Craig and U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty. The night was filled with traditional, African-inspired drumming, singing by the Ohio State University African American Voices Gospel Choir, and speeches from Columbus City Council members and Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Ginther recognized the contributions of African Americans, not just to Columbus but also to the United States as whole.
“[Juneteenth] is a day that reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied,” council President Shannon Hardin said.
Council member Tiara Ross, who represents Columbus’ District 7, also presented a resolution honoring committee members for Juneteenth on the Ave – a celebration to be held June 20 in Columbus’ King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood on the Near East Side. The event is a collaboration between the Maroon Arts Group, the Ohio History Connection, the Columbus Urban League and Artfluential.
During her speech, Ross emphasized the importance of Juneteenth on the Ave. as a way to continue to tell stories and retell Columbus’ Black history.
After the speeches, dancing, and singing, onlookers watched as Columbus City Hall was illuminated with red and green.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth marks the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free in 1865, the last group of enslaved people to hear the news more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is widely considered the nation’s longest-running celebration of Black freedom.
Juneteenth is observed Friday, June 19, 2026. It was designated a federal holiday in 2021. Most federal offices will be closed on that day.
Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus City Hall lights up to honor Juneteenth
Reporting by Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Shahid Meighan, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
