Milwaukee Hittaz | Juneteenth 2023, Milwaukee, WI.
Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900 held in "East Woods" on East 24th Street in Austin.
Credit: Austin History Center & nmaahc.si.edu
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, is a holiday
that commemorates the end of slavery in the United
States. The holiday originated in Texas and has been
celebrated by African Americans since the late 1800s.
On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger of the Union
Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all
slaves in Texas were free. This announcement came
more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1,
1863. The delay was due to the fact that Texas was a
remote and sparsely populated state with a large
number of Confederate troops, who were fighting to
preserve slavery.
Upon hearing the news, African Americans in Texas
rejoiced and began to celebrate their newfound freedom.
The first Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas on
June 19, 1866, and included parades, speeches, and other
festivities.
As African Americans migrated from Texas to other parts
of the country, they brought the Juneteenth celebration
with them. The holiday became an important part of
African American culture and was observed in cities and
towns across the United States. However, it was not
widely recognized outside of the African American
community.
In the 20th century, the Civil Rights Movement brought
renewed attention to Juneteenth. In the 1960s and 1970s,
African Americans began to celebrate the holiday as a way
to assert their identity and to remember the struggles and
sacrifices of their ancestors. In 1980, Juneteenth became
an official state holiday in Texas, and over the years, more
states have followed suit.
Today, Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday in most
states and is celebrated by African Americans and others
as a day of remembrance, reflection, and celebration. The
holiday is a time to honor the legacy of slavery and the
struggle for freedom, to celebrate African American
culture and heritage, and to recognize the ongoing
struggle for racial justice and equality.
In Milwaukee, this significant day is honored with a variety
of events and activities that reflect the rich culture and
heritage of the African American community. From
parades and festivals featuring live music, dance
performances, and delicious cuisine, to educational
workshops and historical exhibitions, Juneteenth in
Milwaukee serves as a platform for unity, reflection, and
the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. It is a time for
people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate
freedom, and reaffirm their commitment to building a
more inclusive and equitable society.
