Sent to All Student, Faculty & Staff - June 18, 2024
Equity & Access Bulletin 
Freedom Day is June 19th
60th Anniversary of Civil Rights Act is July 2nd
Wednesday we will observe Juneteenth, the day that marks the effective emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and that symbolizes freedom. On July 2, 2024, we recognize the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Nearly a century apart, these are two of the most profound milestones in our nation’s march toward equity and justice.
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Juneteenth commemorates June 19th, 1865, the day U.S. Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, informing the enslaved people of Texas that they were free. This came 900 days after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had legally outlawed slavery in the states in rebellion on January 1, 1863, and 71 days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox ending the Civil War on April 9, 1865. |
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, at its time, was one of the most sweeping pieces of civil rights legislation made law anywhere in the world. This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, in employment and in all public places, provided for the integration of schools, hotels, restaurants, churches, and hospitals, and it laid the foundation for many further advancements in civil rights.
While Juneteenth represents an initial step toward a more perfect union, nearly a century later, the Civil Rights Act was a significant leap towards ensuring that freedom translates into real, tangible rights for all Americans. Taken together, they provide a powerful reminder of the hard fought battles of the past, the persistent efforts required and the work that still lies ahead to guarantee civil rights, equity and justice for all Americans.
Let us use this occasion to renew our dedication to fostering an equitable and accessible University community, building on the progress of the past to create a better future for all.
If you wish to report any discrimination to the Office of Equity and Access, please go to our online ReportIt page or email reportit@stonybrook.edu