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Q&A: Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation
Historical image of a group of African Americans at Juneteenth celebration in 1900.19

A Juneteenth Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900, Texas. 

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  • Q&A

    • Q&A: Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation

    Penn Today spoke with Marcia Chatelain of Africana Studies and Kermit Roosevelt of Penn Carey Law about the history of the Emancipation Proclamation and the impact of Juneteenth throughout the American story and today.

    4 min. read

    A ‘second sight’ on American history
    The cast of Sinners on stage at the Oscars receiving an award.

    Image: Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images

    A ‘second sight’ on American history

    In her new book, Annenberg School for Communication professor Sarah J. Jackson traces how historical and contemporary writers, journalists, and filmmakers have strengthened the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
    A moment of reflection 15 years in the making
    Performers with Natives at Penn performing a traditional dance.

    This year’s powwow took place in the Hall of Flags and was co-hosted by the Albert M. Greenfield Intercultural Center.

    (Image: Kia Lor)

    A moment of reflection 15 years in the making

    This year marked the 15th anniversary of the Natives at Penn annual powwow. Co-founders Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and Paul Garr celebrated the milestone and the tradition of Native fellowship, community building, and education.

    From Omnia

    2 min. read

    Spotting Penn’s Ivy Stones
    Penn’s 1930 Ivy Stone.

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    Spotting Penn’s Ivy Stones

    Dating back to the 1800s, Ivy Stones are embedded in the brick walls, walkways, and building facades throughout Penn’s campus, some weathered and bearing the signs of history and legacy.

    1 min. read

    A look back at the Class of 1776
    Excerpt of Trustees minutes page 96.

    “Upon the Report of the Examiners, the following candidates approved of as qualified by their standing and proficiency to be admitted to the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, are James Abercrombie, John Leeds Bos[z]man, John Clopton, William Cock[e], Thomas Duncan Smith, William Thomas, and Ralph Wiltshire; and a mandate was ordered to be made out for conferring on them their Degree of Bachelor of Arts on the 10th of June next.”

    (Image: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Minute Books, volume 2, 1768-1779; University Archives)

    A look back at the Class of 1776

    At the time, the seven graduates of the class received Bachelor of Arts degrees in a private ceremony open only to faculty, trustees, and graduates—due to what was described as the “unsettled state of affairs.”

    2 min. read

    Chapters of Change: Thirty years of life sciences transformation at Penn
    Two people in a lab in the Singh Center.

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    Chapters of Change: Thirty years of life sciences transformation at Penn

     In the fourth and final installment of the series, “Chapters of Change” highlights another transformational moment in Penn’s past when the evolution of life sciences research sparked the University to commit to investing in new research facilities and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

    6 min. read

    Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary
    Kelly He makes paper at Historic Rittenhouse Town

    Kelly He lifts the mould and deckle to drain water from the paper pulp.

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    Making paper for the Declaration’s anniversary

    Learn the five steps to making paper as it was done in the Revolutionary era, part of a Common Press semiquincentennial project, alongside a class from the Weitzman School of Design.

    5 min. read