06/19/2026
On June 19, 1865 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced freedom for more than 250,000 enslaved Black people. This moment marked a powerful milestone of liberation, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality and became known as Juneteenth.
At WIU, that legacy is reflected in decades of student-led advocacy, including the founding of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center in 1970, created to support African American students academically, socially, and culturally and to foster a stronger sense of community on campus.
In honor of Juneteenth, the University will be closed as we reflect, commemorate, and continue striving toward justice and equity.