Bay Area residents interested in learning more about Juneteenth and a project in Galveston to honor the holiday can do so at Helen Hall Library on June 7.

Sam Collins III, co-chair of The Juneteenth Legacy Project, will speak at the library theater about the efforts of area activists, historians, policymakers and philanthropists to create a 5,000-square-foot public art mural that honors Juneteenth’s importance. The event can be attended in person or virtually and takes place from 7-8 p.m.

The Juneteenth Legacy Project will dedicate the public art installation, called "Absolute Equality," on June 19 at 11:30 am in Galveston, according to the project website. The nonprofit “aims to recontextualize Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in the arc of U.S. history while properly telling the story of its genesis, and historical and contemporary relevance,” per the website.

Celebrated annually June 19, Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 when Union Gen. Gordon Granger came to Galveston to announce the liberation of enslaved people in Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation became official in 1863. More than 250,000 people were still enslaved in Texas at this time, per the Juneteenth Legacy Project website.

The Helen Hall Library History Club invites one speaker per month to discuss local, state or national history topics about a range of interests, per a June 1 news blast from the city of League City. Those interested in attending the June 7 event can contact Caris Brown at 281-554-1105 or [email protected] to register.