Michael James Scott interacts with the audience during an event in celebration of Juneteenth in New York, the United States, on June 19, 2024. African Americans in New York joined others on Wednesday in commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, as a heat wave is scorching the Northeast and Midwest of the country. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

The audience watch a performance in celebration of Juneteenth in New York, the United States, on June 19, 2024. African Americans in New York joined others on Wednesday in commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, as a heat wave is scorching the Northeast and Midwest of the country. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

Children perform at Museum of the Moving Image in New York, the United States, on June 19, 2024. African Americans in New York joined others on Wednesday in commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, as a heat wave is scorching the Northeast and Midwest of the country. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A drummer performs at Museum of the Moving Image in New York, the United States, on June 19, 2024. African Americans in New York joined others on Wednesday in commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, as a heat wave is scorching the Northeast and Midwest of the country. (Photo: Xinhua)

 
African Americans in New York joined others on Wednesday in commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, as a heat wave is scorching the Northeast and Midwest of the country.

New York City alone was scheduled to have over 20 thematic events on Wednesday featuring cultural and music performances, foods, seminars, art, story telling, sports and others, to celebrate Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, a federal holiday.

Scores of Black artists staged an outdoor live concert in Times Squares around noon on Wednesday under the auspices of the Broadway League.

The performance from over ten Broadway shows attracted hundreds of New Yorkers and tourists.

The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens also saw the presentation of live music, dance and film screenings on Wednesday afternoon.

Moreover, the 15th Annual Juneteenth NY Festival in Brooklyn is celebrating Juneteenth for a week's time.

"Juneteenth is a day that all New Yorkers and all Americans should be proud to honor, when the promise of freedom finally started to match Black Americans' lived reality. But as we all know, it was only the start of a longer struggle," said Eric Adams, the second Black mayor of New York City.

On this occasion, Adams hosted a celebration with African Americans at his official residence Gracie Mansion.

He also reminded New Yorkers to stay cool by using beaches, sprinkles or shady benches amid rising temperatures.

It's reported that around 75 million Americans from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast were under an excessive-heat warning or heat advisory on Wednesday.

Over 250 million Americans will experience a high temperature of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32.2 degrees Celsius) this week, especially those in the eastern part of the country.