Celebrating Juneteenth 2023 Use your auto-reply message for good. On Monday, June 19, 2023, the MIT community will observe Juneteenth as an Institute-wide holiday and as a U.S. federal holiday. Many of us will enjoy the day away from our regular routines of work, study, and research, but it’s important for us to remember why it’s not just another “day off.” We have the opportunity to celebrate the freedom of Black Americans and to be intentional about how we acknowledge our nation’s history of injustice, as well as our history of resilience and hope. Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth originated as a holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865. This is the date that enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally notified of their freedom—nearly two and half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. While Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866, Juneteenth was recently adopted as an MIT-wide holiday in May 2021 and proclaimed a U.S. national holiday in June 2021. In preparation for Juneteenth 2023, the ICEO invites you to take advantage of your holiday weekend auto-reply/out-of-office email message by inserting details about Juneteenth alongside typical information like the date you’ll return to work or school. To help set up your out-of-office/auto-reply email message, there are three templates to choose from below. Each template contains information and links about a particular aspect of Juneteenth. You are welcome to choose one template, or you can mix-and-match the templates’ content according to your preferences. TEMPLATES Raise awareness about the history and significance of the Juneteenth holiday: Thank you for your message. I am not [working/studying/researching] on Monday, June 19 because I am observing Juneteenth. Also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day, Juneteenth originated as a holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865. This is the date that enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally notified of their freedom, nearly two and half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. While Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1866, Juneteenth was recently adopted as an MIT-wide holiday in May 2021 and proclaimed a U.S. national holiday in June 2021. I encourage you to learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth and to share these resources with others. Celebrate and be in community with others on Juneteenth by attending gatherings and events: Thank you for your message. I am not [working/studying/researching] on Monday, June 19 because I am observing Juneteenth. Juneteenth is a day to remember the history of enslaved Black Americans who were deprived of freedom for centuries, and it is also a day for recognizing progress and to celebrate the culture and achievements of Black Americans. Celebrate and connect with others this Juneteenth by attending events like festivals, fairs, concerts, cookouts, and exhibits in the Greater Boston/Cambridge areas. Share these local events with family, friends, and colleagues, and make a plan for the holiday weekend. Honor Opal Lee the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” by sharing her story as an educator and activist: Thank you for your message. I am not [working/studying/researching] on Monday, June 19 because I am observing Juneteenth. Out of respect for this holiday, I’m going to reflect on the work and contributions of Opal Lee, a retired teacher and “Grandmother of Juneteenth” who spent decades advocating for the federal recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday. Her persistent efforts helped lead to a bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 21, 2021. Join me in honoring Opal Lee this Juneteenth by learning about the life and legacy of this extraordinary person.