The 313+ Ancestors Speak Project
The 313+ Ancestors Speak Project is a community-driven effort to honor and remember the lives of over 313 individuals buried…
Juneteenth Ceremony
Observe Juneteenth in Elizabeth, NJ on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at a special community ceremony.
A Short History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is an annual holiday honoring African-American heritage and culture and commemorating the end of the Civil War and slavery in the South.
The news of President Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. That’s the date Major General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived to enforce the Executive Order outlawing slavery in the United States.
June 19 is now called Juneteenth to commemorate the hard-won freedom of African Americans and the ongoing struggles and victories of the Civil Rights Movement. With a focus on achievement and cultural pride, Juneteenth festivities include community events such as parades, barbecues, picnics, and church services in many places across the African-American diaspora.
Juneteenth Brick Laying Ceremony
This public event will mark the unveiling of newly installed commemorative bricks at the foot of the 313+ Ancestors Speaks Monument, adding another layer of tribute to one of Elizabeth’s most significant historic and cultural landmarks. As these bricks are set into place, the ceremony will honor the ancestors whose names and stories continue to speak through the monument and through the community’s ongoing commitment to remembrance. There will also be a special historical reenactment.
When & Where
- Date – Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Time – 10am
- Location – 313+ Ancestors Speak Monument | Old First Cemetery | 42 Broad Street
This event is part of the broader GoElizabethNJ250 celebration in 2026, which helps tell the stories that shaped America and highlights Elizabeth, New Jersey’s role.
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