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June 19th, 2021; Celebrate Juneteenth.

A day of recognition, restoration, celebration, juneteenth

What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Its origins trace back to Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865 when hundreds of thousands of enslaved African Americans learned about their freedom. It is now celebrated annually on June 19 across the United States and marks the official end of slavery.

The History: Juneteenth also known as 'Freedom Day' or 'Liberation Day' is an important milestone in American history. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger’s reading of the Federal orders in the city in Galveston, Texas, proclaimed that all enslaved people were now free. This news, which effected 250,000 enslaved people came an entire 2.5 years after President Lincoln died and after the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, had passed Congress. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation had passed and all enslaved people should have been free, many plantation owners did not inform them of this because they wanted them to stay until after the harvest. Juneteenth now stands as one of the the oldest known celebrations honoring the end of slavery in the United States.

Why do we celebrate it? Although Juneteenth is a symbol of resilience, triumph and resistance against oppression for the African American community, it is also a time to remember how freedom and justice has always been delayed for black people. Decades following the end of the war can be characterized by waves of lynching, Jim Crow laws, and imprisonment. This was only to be followed by mass incarceration, discriminatory housing policies, and disproportionate rates of police violence. Juneteenth is important because it raises awareness of the history of the African American community and how that history continues to affect their quality of life today. Juneteenth is a day of remembrance of an awful past but also is a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of the black community.

How do we celebrate it? They say, 'Joy is resistance' and this is exactly what the mindset is when celebrating Juneteenth. In June 1872, black ministers and businessmen bought 10 acres of land to freely celebrate Juneteenth as a community. Since then, Juneteenth was reclaimed as a moment of remembrance and transcended into a tribute and celebration of black joy. It is a day to celebrate liberation and all the beauty within the community. With an emphasis on black culture, history and life, it is about bringing people together to honor all those who came before us and fought for the rights and privileges we hold today. View the next slide for possible ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year!

Things to do: 1. Celebrate Thriving Black Art, innovation and creativity 2. Participate in conversations that educate, inform and celebrate Black culture and its history. Both in your immediate circle and publicly 3. Find an Event in your area that is celebrating Juneteenth 4. Support Black owned businesses 5. Visit a museum dedicated towards black culture 6. Watch and support black artists, authors actors/actresses, singers, etc

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North Haven Public Schools

5 Linsley Street, North Haven, CT 06473 Phone: (203)239-2581

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