Juneteenth is right around the corner, and NYC is getting ready to honor the holiday in a big way.
Celebrated annually on June 19th, Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas in 1865—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
This year, Juneteenth falls on Wednesday, June 19th, and one of the most iconic tributes in the city will come from the sky.
If you look up that evening, you’ll spot the Empire State Building glowing red, black, and green in honor of the holiday.
Why are red, black & green the Juneteenth colors?
The red, black, and green color scheme has deep roots in Black history and liberation. Originally popularized by the Pan-African flag, each color carries a powerful meaning:
- Red represents the blood shed in the fight for freedom.
- Black symbolizes the people whose resilience and culture are celebrated.
- Green stands for the rich land of Africa, the ancestral homeland.
When you can see the ESB light up on Thursday
The Juneteenth lights will shine brightest around sunset (8:30 pm) and remain on display through 2 am the next morning.
And if you’re wondering what’s next on the skyline calendar—expect a fun switch-up later this month.
On June 29th, the Empire State Building will sport rainbow colors for Pride!