The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) commemorates Juneteenth, a U.S. federal holiday honoring the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
JANM recognizes Juneteenth as a critical moment in American history that moves toward efforts of embracing human rights and ending white supremacy. At the same time that JANM endorses this holiday, the Museum acknowledges that much more work is required to properly address systemic racism.
JANM promotes the understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience. The national repository of Japanese American history, JANM also speaks out when diversity, individual dignity and social justice are undermined, vigilantly sharing the hard-fought lessons accrued from this history. Its underlying purpose is to transform lives, create a more just America and, ultimately, a better world.
JANM honors this holiday to stand in support of the African American community and observe the cultures and holidays of historically marginalized groups. The Museum will be closed on Sunday, June 19, 2022 in observance of this holiday.
Photo credit: Paloma Dooley
