Iowa History 101: Emancipation Celebrations: The Historical Context for Juneteenth

Join Leo Landis, the state curator for the State Historical Society of Iowa, as he discusses the history of Juneteenth, which has been a state holiday in Iowa since 2002 and became a federal holiday since 2021. Emancipation events in Iowa took place in Muscatine before the Civil War and over time spread to other communities across the state, including Clarinda, Corning and Sioux City. The gatherings show that Iowans of many backgrounds have come together to celebrate freedom and equality.

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