June is a busy month for important recognitions.  In addition to being Pride Month, June also holds Juneteenth, a new federal holiday. Join in a celebration, participate in an awareness walk, visit a museum, or watch a movie to learn more.

June 19: Juneteenth marks our second Independence Day and is now a federal holiday in the U.S. It commemorates the true end of slavery in the country. While President Lincoln had declared the end of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation over two years before, African Americans still had yet to learn of their freedom in Galveston, TX. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that federal troops rode into the city and ensured all slaves were freed. Learn more and find resources at https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth or visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia

June is Pride Month,  a celebration of the freedom for members of the LGBTQ+  community to be accepted for themselves.  June was selected to remember the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. This is a great time to view 10 Landmark Films About LGBTQ+ Stories .

Other Month-long celebrations

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness about  Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias which are major public health issues.

Caribbean American Heritage Month recognizes all those of Caribbean descent and the contributions they made to American society throughout history. Celebrate in early July at the South Jersey Caribbean Festival

June 2: Indian Citizenship Act was passed on June 2, 1924. Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S.

June 11: Puerto Rican Day Parade seeks to recognize the influence and achievements of individuals from Puerto Rico. The Parada San Juan Bautista in Camden County is a huge, exciting celebration.

June 12: Loving Day recognizes that in 1967, the Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage. The 2016 film Loving tells the story of the interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving in their fight for recognition of their marriage.

June 26 to July 1: The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must make at least once during their lives if they are physically and financially able.  There, they perform a series of spiritual rituals.