06/19/2026
Today, we honor Juneteenth by recognizing just a few of the many places that preserve and share Black history.
Across the United States, countless sites, museums, and communities tell stories of resilience, achievement, courage, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom. These five destinations are only a small glimpse into the rich history that deserves to be remembered and preserved.
📍 Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Located in Atlanta, this park preserves the neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born, worshiped, and is laid to rest. It offers a deeper understanding of his life and the Civil Rights Movement.
📍 National Museum of African American History and Culture
Part of the Smithsonian Institution, this museum is dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. Through exhibits, artifacts, and stories, it highlights centuries of contributions, triumphs, struggles, and achievements that are fundamental to the American story.
📍 African Burial Ground National Monument
Discovered in 1991, this sacred site honors thousands of free and enslaved Africans buried in lower Manhattan during the 17th and 18th centuries.
📍 Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
This site commemorates the courage of the Little Rock Nine, who integrated Central High School in 1957 despite intense opposition. Their bravery became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
📍 Nicodemus National Historic Site
Founded in 1877 by formerly enslaved people seeking opportunity and self-determination, Nicodemus is the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi established during Reconstruction.
This Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom, honor those who came before us, and recognize that preserving history helps us better understand the journeys that have shaped our nation.
