To follow up on our Question of the Week from yesterday...
As the nation prepares to celebrate the July 4th holiday, communities across the country have come together over the past week to celebrate and recognize another Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, two and half years after it officially went into effect, the Emancipation Proclamation was announced in Galveston, abolishing slavery in Texas. Originally recognized by the state of Texas as the Day of Emancipation, the date is now known as Juneteenth and is recognized as a holiday in 31 states, including Massachusetts. Juneteenth.com states:
“Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a pride-filled day. It is a moment in time taken to appreciate the African American experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities – as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend.”
Over the past week, Juneteenth celebrations are held in communities across the country. Closer to home, as noted in the Boston Globe, residents old and new gathered for the Juneteenth and Roxbury Homecoming celebration at the Franklin Park Zoo (Juneteenth celebrated at Franklin Park, June 20, 2009). This upcoming Saturday, Worcester’s African American Festival & Juneteenth Celebration will be held at Institute Park, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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