Looking back at Fort Worth's Juneteenth history

Juneteenth, a federal holiday on June 19 since 2021, commemorates the day in 1865 when in Galveston, Texas, the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom. It was an informal celebration for generations with parades, barbecues and other gatherings. Fort Worth has a history of celebrating Juneteenth as far back as 1882.

Here is a curated collection of Star-Telegram stories, photos and columns highlighting Juneteenth's history in Fort Worth and Texas.

Opal Lee walks down Lancaster Avenue to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19, 2020, in Fort Worth. Lee was followed by a convoy of hundreds of cars, some decorated, as she made her way to Will Rogers Coliseum.

HOW SHOULD WE CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH? A TIME FOR EDUCATION, RESPECT

Texans say it’s important to reflect on history, celebrate freedom and appreciate Black American culture in an authentic way. | Published June 19, 2022 | Read Full Story by David Silva Ramirez

A mother and daughter travel to a Juneteenth celebration in the 1880s.

DECADES BEFORE JUNETEENTH BECAME A HOLIDAY, FORT WORTH HAD RICH HISTORY OF CELEBRATIONS

One of the earliest Fort Worth Juneteenth celebrations took place in 1882 with “music and dancing, and speech-making consumed the day and extended into the night.” | Published June 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Richard J. Gonzales

A rendering of the exterior of the building for the The National Juneteenth Museum revealed in October 2024 at Opal Lee’s 98th birthday celebration.

WHAT WILL THE INSIDE OF NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM LOOK LIKE?

For Opal Lee’s 98th birthday, the National Juneteenth Museum gave her an inside look of the museum. | Published October 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

Jan. 15, 1986: Opal Lee, right, and Brenda Polk carry a painted banner of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. during a memorial march along East Rosedale Street in Fort Worth

IN 1986, OPAL LEE LED FORT WORTH’S FIRST MLK MARCH AFTER IT BECAME FEDERAL HOLIDAY

This day in 1986 wouldn’t be the last time our future “Grandmother of Juneteenth” marched for a good cause. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt Leclercq

Opal Lee, who’s known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, sits on her new porch for a celebration to commemorate the opening of her new house at Historic Southside in Fort Worth on Friday, June 14, 2024. The home sits on the same property where white rioters forced her family out of when she was a girl.

OPAL LEE CALLS ON PRESIDENT TRUMP TO HONOR MLK’S EXAMPLE OF UNITY

Lee told the Star-Telegram she hopes to have a good relationship with Trump. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cody Copeland

The city will lease the Southside Community Center property — where the National Juneteenth Museum will be constructed — and relocate programs in the center to the Hazel Harvey Peace Center for Neighborhoods.

‘A BEACON OF LIGHT’: CITY APPROVES NATIONAL JUNETEENTH MUSEUM’S NEW SITE

Southside Community Center will move programs to Hazel Harvey Center. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

Opal Lee reacts to seeing guests present for the grand opening of The Opal, a mixed-income community, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The affordable housing property was named in honor of Lee. By Amanda McCoy

‘YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON.’ FORT WORTH AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPERTY NAMED FOR OPAL LEE

A new affordable housing complex opens in Fort Worth. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

Community members march through the Historic Southside during Opal Lee's annual Juneteenth walk on June 19, 2021. By Amanda McCoy

CONCERTS, BLOCK PARTY SCHEDULED TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH 2025 IN FORT WORTH

The National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth has four days of events planned to celebrate Juneteenth. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.