KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating freedom and history on a day that changed the course of this nation.
Juneteenth marks June 19th, 1865 — the day enslaved people in Texas were finally told they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Celebrations in Kansas City began more than a century later, thanks to one man's vision.
As Juneteenth is celebrated across the US, Obama's presidential center opens in Chicago
In the 1970s, historian Horace Peterson founded the Black Archives of Mid-America — creating a permanent home to collect, preserve, and share Black history right here in Kansas City.
Peterson brought Juneteenth celebrations to Kansas City in 1980, turning small community gatherings into what would become a citywide tradition.
Today, that tradition lives on in the historic 18th and Vine District — a place known for its rich Black history, culture, and community.
From parades and festivals, to music, food, and storytelling, thousands of people come together each year to celebrate freedom.
FOX4 tells those stories and many more in a special presentation you can watch in the video player at the top of the page, or on WDAF+ on demand.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
