By: Ashley Small
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM) proudly announces Juneteenth @160: U.S. Colored Troops’ Call to Freedom | Our Journey to Progress, a dynamic three-day community celebration honoring the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth and the enduring legacy of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and how they influenced the Buffalo Soldiers. Held from June 19–21, 2025, Juneteenth @160 offers a unique blend of art, history, education, and cultural experience, rooted in themes of resilience, resistance, and the continuing journey toward Black liberation in America.
“Juneteenth @160 is a cultural reckoning and a tribute to the generations of Black soldiers who fought to become citizens under the protection of the US Constitution. These were formerly enslaved individuals who have fought for freedom, self-determination, and dignity as human beings,” said Desmond Bertrand-Pitts, CEO of BSNM. “We are honored to create a space for learning, reflection, and belonging.”
The USCT played a vital role for freedmen and the formerly enslaved to assert their rights as full American citizens and the realization of Juneteenth. Comprising over 180,000 Black soldiers, the USCT fought for the Union during the Civil War and was instrumental in occupying Confederate territories to enforce the
