SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Local sports teams and organizations around the Beehive State posted on social media in celebration of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that is recognized annually on June 19. The holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

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 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.

Celebrations include parades, religious ceremonies, and festivals to commemorate the day.

Locals Teams Celebrate Juneteenth

Utah Jazz

#juneteenth2022 pic.twitter.com/NgbGOozmBZ

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) June 19, 2022

Real Salt Lake

Celebrate freedom.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/DVgnDuQga8

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) June 19, 2022

RSL Celebrates Juneteenth Against San Jose

Real Salt Lake celebrated Juneteenth during the club’s match against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, June 18.

Ahead of the match, RSL announced special designed scarves and game-worn jerseys to benefit the Utah-based “Project Success Coalition,” which sponsors the Juneteenth Festival in Ogden. The Juneteenth Festival is the largest African-American event in the state of Utah for over 30 years. Other community groups, including African Stars and Millcreek Promise Program attended the match on Saturday.

.@realsaltlake will sell Juneteenth designed scarves with proceeds going to the Project Success Coalition.#RSL #JuneteenthDay https://t.co/QnBlmHZiYp

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 18, 2022

“The importance of Juneteenth was overlooked for far too long, and Real Salt Lake is proud to celebrate it during our game against San Jose,” said Real Salt Lake President John Kimball.  “Juneteenth is a major milestone in America’s journey to equality and treating everyone with dignity and respect, which is an attitude we strive to live by at RSL.” 

The RSL Team Store designed 150 specialty scarves for Saturday’s match, where they drew inspiration from the Unity jerseys that Major League Soccer and Adidas created. Proceeds from the sale went to Project Success Coalition.

Utah Warriors

Celebrate Freedom. Celebrate Juneteenth. #ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/bpqkjUv0uk

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) June 19, 2022

BYU Cougars

Today we celebrate freedom.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/I8yxSA7uX6

— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) June 19, 2022

Today we celebrate freedom.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/HmLyiYEG1t

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) June 19, 2022

Today we celebrate freedom.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/pPsUaILSvT

— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) June 19, 2022

𝘾𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀𝘿𝙊𝙈 pic.twitter.com/wcp8Xbn2IJ

— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) June 19, 2022

Utah Utes

Reflect. Educate. Celebrate.#juneteenth2022 | @uofuedi https://t.co/krOUbGy338

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) June 19, 2022

Utah State Aggies

Celebrate.
Listen.
Learn.
Reflect. #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/mTrO6rUx3h

— Utah State Athletics (@USUAthletics) June 19, 2022

Today we celebrate freedom.

Happy #Juneteenth 🖤❤️💚💛 pic.twitter.com/5VIVwP7X0x

— USU Football (@USUFootball) June 19, 2022

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Taking this #Juneteenth to celebrate resilience and freedom!

🖤#StormTheSky pic.twitter.com/iwbGwwRiLt

— SUU Thunderbirds ⚡️ (@SUUThunderbirds) June 19, 2022

Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces and its players pledge to continue to fight for 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 until such time as the American ideal of 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 for all becomes a reality.#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/28hwVHJzRk

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 19, 2022

Vegas Golden Knights

Today, we celebrate strength, courage and freedom.

#Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/iEazhyuC94

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 19, 2022