Photos: Anchorage Juneteenth citywide celebration

As in cities across America, Juneteenth was celebrated in Anchorage this weekend, marking the end of slavery in the United States. There were events on the Delaney Park Strip Saturday and Sunday

“Juneteenth is American history, everyone should celebrate it, and know about it, and take part in it. It’s not just an African American holiday. It’s everybody’s history,” said Jasmin Smith, Juneteenth Anchorage president and event coordinator.

”It might be a painful time in our history. It might be uncomfortable to talk about and re-live slavery and discuss slavery and the effects of it. But, it’s still important for us to be educated. We still have a lot of work to do so we know our further goals and future paths. June 19, 1865, when the last of the slaves in Texas and any other holdover areas of the Union were basically being told ‘You need to free them.’

[Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on the end of slavery]

“Juneteenth has been observed as a federal holiday for two years and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Monday is the first time Juneteenth is a municipal holiday. “We are working very hard to make it a state holiday,” added Smith.

There’s a free Juneteenth Community Barbecue from 4 to 6 p.m. in the UAA Fine Arts parking lot at 3700 Alumni Drive. After the barbecue, the Citywide Juneteenth Stage Celebration and Closing Ceremony will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at the UAA Fine Arts theater, with the theme of advocacy and liberation.

[Here are 6 opportunities to celebrate Juneteenth in Anchorage]