Sports Teams, Athletes From Around State Of Utah Celebrate Juneteenth

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Professional and collegiate sports teams, as well as individual athletes, from across the state of Utah posted on social media to celebrate Juneteenth 2020.

Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19, marks the 135th anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in the state of Texas.

The local teams and players shared in celebrating the day with messages of freedom and education.

What is Juneteenth?

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger marched into Texas and freed the last remaining slaves in the United States. Though President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, the remote state of Texas failed to adopt the laws quickly.

Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth. The day is also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day.

Most states across the United State celebrate the holiday. Celebrations include parades, religious ceremonies, and festivals to commemorate the day.

Utah Jazz

Freedom Day is a day of celebration, rejoicing and a reflection on the work that still needs to be done.

Happy #Juneteenth ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1ZlDycLoAJ

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 19, 2020

Jazz Guard Donovan Mitchell

✊🏽🙏🏾 HAPPY JUNETEENTH!!!! https://t.co/eMvGT6F0Nb

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 19, 2020

Jazz Center Rudy Gobert

Happy JUNETEENTH. Still a long way to go but we are on the right path.✊🏽✊🏻✊🏿

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) June 19, 2020

Jazz Forward Royce O’Neale

Happy Juneteenth 🖤🙏🏾

— Royce O'Neale (@BucketsONeale00) June 19, 2020

Utah Utes

Utah Athletics

Today we observe #Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in America.

A day to listen, learn and reflect. To celebrate freedom and continue to combat racial injustices.https://t.co/YAlXJYwsOF pic.twitter.com/HkxV2cV9Zy

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) June 19, 2020

Utah Football

A very powerful message from @DevinLloyd_ on #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/hKTP1Kflsr

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) June 19, 2020

Utah Men’s Basketball

Today we celebrate #Juneteenth, a day of freedom.

A day to reflect. A day to listen. A day to learn. pic.twitter.com/1yzZnTtAV5

— Utah Basketball🏀 (at 🏡) (@UtahMBB) June 19, 2020

Utah Women’s Basketball

🗣 @CoachD_Ute #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/G3PrZthjFM

— Utah Women's Basketball (@UTAHWBB) June 19, 2020

Utah Women’s Soccer

#Juneteenth is a reminder that the change we are fighting for is possible. It is a celebration of freedom. Reforms, like the one that happened on June 19, are still necessary in this country so every person can experience the same freedoms – Brooklyn James#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xylqv2Sna0

— Utah Women's Soccer (@UtahWSoccer) June 19, 2020

Utah Volleyball

🗣 @zweatherington #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/ETdgX1VBTp

— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) June 19, 2020

Utah Gymnastics

Join us in commemorating #Juneteenth with these resources:

📺 Watchhttps://t.co/MToc8yxh6Mhttps://t.co/hRm0BRpUMc

◾Donatehttps://t.co/OhB4Niikg7https://t.co/GUd5gpY4qU pic.twitter.com/fS6gNWcryj

— Utah Gymnastics (@UtahGymnastics) June 19, 2020

Utah State Aggies

USU Athletics

Celebrate.
Listen.
Learn.
Reflect. #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/bthKXD7juX

— Utah State Athletics (@USUAthletics) June 19, 2020

Utah Valley Wolverines

UVU Athletics

Today we celebrate #Juneteenth, an important date in our nation’s history.

Today and every day we are committed to racial equality and freedom.

You can read more on Juneteenth here: https://t.co/8HFtpuIP08 pic.twitter.com/IcEvYIaZZk

— Utah Valley Wolverines (@GoUVU) June 19, 2020

Weber State Wildcats

Weber State Athletics

We stand with the black community and take time to honor #Juneteenth, a day to celebrate,reflect and educate. pic.twitter.com/Jw9DdKdigX

— Weber State Athletics (@weberstate) June 19, 2020

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

SUU Athletics

Celebrate Freedom! Happy #Juneteenth

Learn More 📚 >> https://t.co/N0I8AyI3EG pic.twitter.com/IEZYa1XlqC

— SUU Thunderbirds ⚡️ (@SUUThunderbirds) June 19, 2020

Dixie State Trailblazers

Dixie State Football

#JUNETEENTH Learn About the Past so We Can Create a Better Tomorrow ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/6OB7jtO1GX

— Dixie State Football (@DixieState_FB) June 19, 2020

Dixie State Men’s Basketball

#FreedomDay #JUNETEENTH2020 🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/jHoTV7knzG

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) June 19, 2020

Dixie State Women’s Basketball

In Honor of Juneteenth! ✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/K0TV2mS7Xw

— Dixie State WBB (@dixie_wbb) June 19, 2020