BY EZRA WOHLGELERNTER
The Philadelphia Bar Association joins communities across our city and nation in recognizing Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas – more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, but it is also a reminder that justice delayed is justice denied. It teaches us that the promises embodied in our founding documents have too often been realized slowly, unevenly, and only through tremendous sacrifice. It calls upon us not merely to celebrate progress, but to acknowledge honestly the struggles that made that progress possible.
The Philadelphia Bar Association proudly recognizes Juneteenth as an important moment for reflection, education, and recommitment to the principles of equality under law. As lawyers, judges, and legal professionals, we understand that freedom is not self-executing. Rights become meaningful only when they are protected by law, enforced by institutions, and defended by courageous individuals willing to stand against injustice.
No city is more closely associated with the ideals of liberty than Philadelphia. Here, the Declaration of Independence was signed. Here, the Constitution was debated and adopted. Yet here, too, we must confront the uncomfortable truth that the nation’s founding coexisted with the institution of slavery. We cannot tell the story of American freedom honestly without acknowledging both its triumphs and its failures.
That is why the Philadelphia Bar Association vehemently opposes efforts to remove, diminish, or sanitize historical presentations concerning slavery and the experiences of enslaved people at the President’s House site in Independence National Historical Park – or anywhere else.
The President’s House occupies sacred historical ground. It was the executive mansion of President George Washington while Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital. It was also a place where enslaved men and women lived and labored in bondage.
The exhibit at the site does not diminish the achievements of the Founding Fathers. Rather, it presents our nation's history honestly, acknowledging both the extraordinary ideals of the Framers and the contradictions that existed alongside them. Such honesty is essential to understanding our past.
The Philadelphia Bar Association therefore condemns efforts by the Trump Administration to erase references to slavery from this important historical exhibit. Attempts to remove or obscure uncomfortable facts do not strengthen our democracy. They weaken it. A confident nation does not fear its history. A mature democracy does not suppress historical truths because they are inconvenient or unsettling.
As lawyers, we know that facts matter. Evidence matters. Truth matters.
The rule of law depends upon an unwavering commitment to those principles. Courts cannot ignore inconvenient evidence, and lawyers cannot serve their clients by concealing difficult truths. Likewise, our nation cannot fully understand itself if it selectively edits its own history.
Juneteenth reminds us that the pursuit of liberty has always required courage. The abolitionists who fought slavery, the Civil Rights leaders who challenged segregation, and the countless Americans who expanded the promise of equal justice for all understood that progress requires confronting injustice rather than ignoring it.
Historical memory is not a partisan issue. It is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue.
The Philadelphia Bar Association has long stood for the rule of law, equal justice, and the preservation of democratic institutions. Those values require us to oppose efforts to distort the historical record. They require us to defend educational institutions, museums, and public exhibits that seek to present history honestly and completely.
This year, the importance of preserving and confronting our history is even more poignant in light of the recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which reversed the District Court's order requiring the restoration of exhibits at the President’s House. While reasonable minds may differ regarding the legal issues presented, the controversy itself serves as a powerful reminder that our understanding of history is neither complete nor static. Juneteenth challenges us to engage honestly with the full American story—not only its triumphs, but also its injustices. Efforts to acknowledge the reality of slavery and its enduring consequences are essential acts of historical truth-telling that strengthen our collective commitment to liberty, equality, and justice under law.
Juneteenth reminds us that progress is never inevitable – it requires vigilance, courage, and action. Let us honor the legacy of those who came before us by recommitting ourselves to the ongoing pursuit of justice, equality, and opportunity for all.
Ezra Wohlgelernter is 2026 Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. You can email him at chancellor@philabar.org.
