It’s America’s newest Federal Holiday, Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery. Cities across the country marking the occasion with parades and concerts. This is the third year of celebrations since President Biden gave Juneteenth Federal Status in 2021.
Cities across the country celebrating Juneteenth, a federal holiday marking the end of slavery. One of the nation’s largest parades held in Philadelphia. Marches bringing people together in Denver and in Washington, DC — festivals lined the streets.
While cities are filled with colorful celebrations this holiday, the road to end slavery was a much darker time in American History. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation — ending slavery in the U.S., but news of liberation slowly spread across the South. It took more than two years for the news to reach the final enslaved group in Galveston, Texas. That day was June 19th, 1865 – 158 years ago.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee / (D) Texas: “The country, the nation, the government, had people in bondage. It was ugly. But now is a time that we can show the world that America doesn’t stay in bondage that it actually comes forth.”
Monday, the City of Galveston marking the birthplace of what is now Juneteenth. A day of liberation now celebrated across the country. Vice President Kamala Harris adding: “To celebrate one of our nation’s founding principles-the principle of freedom.”
Here locally, the Juneteenth holiday celebration and parade wrapped up in Downtown Johnstown Monday evening. Video Journalist Steve Toma has a look at the event.