We are a local Oregon-based nonprofit working to preserve and amplify the history and legacy of Juneteenth–founded by the late Clara Peoples, a beloved community leader who organized Oregon’s first Juneteenth celebration in 1945.
About Juneteenth Oregon
What is the Significance of Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, also known as “Independence Day” or “Freedom Day,” is an annual holiday to commemorate the day Union troops enforced the abolition of slavery and the liberation of all enslaved African Americans who remained in bondage in Texas until June 19,1865; over two years after the emancipation proclamation was issued and instated in America
Why Juneteenth Matters
The Truth Behind Emancipation Contrary to popular myth, the Emancipation Proclamation was not born out of pure humanity, it was a strategic wartime decision. On September 22, 1862, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation to deal a crippling blow to the Confederacy’s economy which was built entirely on the backs of enslaved African American people. The proclamation declared that as of January 1, 1863, all enslaved people in the Confederate states "shall be then, henceforward, and forever free." But in truth, this executive order only freed those enslaved in the rebelling states; not out of moral urgency, but to undermine the South’s labor force and tilt the war in the Union’s favor. For the enslaved in Texas, freedom remained a distant promise. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, two and a half years later that Major General Gordon Granger, backed by 2,000 Union troops, arrived in Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3 from the steps of the former Confederate headquarters. The order made it plain: slavery had been abolished 2.5 years ago, and now, finally, those in Texas were to be free. But even then, freedom wasn’t fully secured. It took the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865 to abolish slavery nationwide officially ending the legal enslavement of African Americans in the United States.
General Order No. 3 “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all enslaved are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”
In 2021 Juneteenth was made a Federal Holiday. A bill was also signed in Oregon for Juneteenth to become a State Holiday the following year in 2022.
The History of Juneteenth in Oregon
Our History: Honoring the Legacy of Clara Mae Peoples
Oregon’s Juneteenth celebration began over 50 years ago, thanks to the bold vision and leadership of the late Clara Mae Peoples, a beloved trailblazer, community leader, and tireless organizer.
In 1945, after moving to Portland from Muskogee, Oklahoma, Clara was surprised to learn that Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States was unknown in the Pacific Northwest. Refusing to let that legacy go unrecognized, on June 19, 1945, she introduced the holiday to her co-workers at the Kaiser Shipyards, thereby organizing Oregon’s very first Juneteenth observance during 15 minutes of their lunch break.
That powerful moment planted the seeds of a movement. In 1972, Clara Mae Peoples along with Ora Lee Green, helped launch Portland’s first official, citywide Juneteenth celebration, making Oregon one of the first states outside the South to uplift the significance of June 19th.
Today: A Celebration of Freedom and Culture
Every year, Juneteenth Oregon carries Clara’s legacy forward with a celebration that brings the community together in joy, remembrance, and unity.
The festivities kick off with the Clara Peoples Freedom Trail spirited parade, followed by a day filled with:
Live music and entertainment
Cultural exhibitions and performances
Local food and Black-owned vendors
Educational booths and community resources
A children’s play area and family activities
More than just a festival, Juneteenth Oregon is a living tribute to Black resilience, liberation, and cultural pride; a tradition born from one woman’s courage and kept alive by her posterity and generations of community love.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated leaders and organizers behind Juneteenth Oregon.
Juneteenth OR Opportunities
We’re looking for event sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and parade participants for our upcoming event. We count on supporters like you to help make our Juneteenth Oregon Celebration successful. Make a donation to show your support.
501(c)3 EIN 82-1822242