For Immediate Release
Contact: Chuck Hicks at
202-421-8608 or mrblackhistory@yahoo.com
Juneteenth Celebration Hosted by the Special Collections Division of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, in conjunction with the African-American Civil War Museum, the DC Black History Celebration Committee, and the D.C. Office of Aging
(Washington, DC) - May 11, 2009 - Juneteenth Celebration Hosted by the Special Collections Division of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, in conjunction with the African-American Civil War Museum, the DC Black History Celebration Committee, and the D.C. Office of Aging Presents a Day of Music, Poetry, Drumming and Dancing, as well as information sharing honoring Juneteenth DC on Friday, June 19, 2009 from 11:00 am - 5:00pm at MLK Library (Great Hall), 901 G Street, N.W. in Washington, DC.
What is Juneteenth " 19th of June"
Earlier this week, Monday, the "19th of June", was Juneteenth Independence Day in America. That's right, America has a 2nd Independence Day, officially recognized by the Congress of the United States for many years. Officially recognized in 19 states as either a state holiday or state holiday observance, and referenced as a special day by Gubernatorial Proclamations or state legislative resolutions in many more states, Juneteenth was totally ignored by the national media again this week.
Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African-American holiday observance.
Further reading about Juneteenth visit
http://www.juneteenth.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth
For further information about the event contact Chuck Hicks at
202-421-8608 or mrblackhistory@yahoo.com
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