In 2021, 158 years after the first Juneteenth, the celebration became a federal holiday changing the understanding of awareness of the holiday for millions of Americans. PreserveCast, Preservation Maryland’s weekly podcast, spoke with Dr. Dennis Doster, who runs the Black History Program for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation. Dr. Dennis Doster joined us to discuss what the designation means and how Juneteenth fits into the broader American story.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and delivered General Order No. 3 announcing the end of legalized slavery in Texas.
Listen to The History of Juneteenth with Dr. Dennis Doster
Dennis A. Doster, Ph.D. is the director of the M-NCPPC Black History Program. Dr. Doster has close to 15 years of experience in the field of Public History. He has worked for the National Archives, the Johns Hopkins University, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor in African American Studies, History, and Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, University College.
Learn more at: https://www.pgparks.com/1378/Black-History