Posted
On Tuesday, June 13, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Washington County. Often referred to as our country’s second independence day, June 19th is a day to celebrate African Americans' freedom from slavery in the United States.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, declaring more than three million slaves living in the Confederate states to be free, it took more than two years for that news to reach African Americans living in Texas. It was not until Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, that the state’s residents finally learned that slavery had been abolished. The former slaves immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song and dance.
The Board’s proclamation encourages all community members to observe this day with activities and reflections that celebrate freedom and justice for all.
- Watch a video of the presentation at https://youtu.be/RR2W-A7kshA.
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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Contact
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Julie McCloud
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Assistant Communications Officer
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