It’s Freedom Day!
“Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect Jan. 1, 1863, declaring “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State… shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” It wouldn’t be until two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, that General Gordon Granger and his Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and any enslaved people were freed by executive order.”
Since then, some Americans have observed and celebrated Juneteenth as Emancipation Day, a day of freedom. On June 3, 1979, Texas declared it an official state holiday. Texas was the first, but 46 more states now count Juneteenth as a state holiday or a day of observance.
By 2008, nearly half of US states observed the holiday as a ceremonial observance. Forty-six of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, a day of observance.
Juneteenth Events
Juneteenth: March for Change
Friday, June 19, 2020, 12 – 2 PM
Michigan Medicine Juneteenth Tribute
Friday, June 19, 2020, 1 – 1:30 PM
University of Michigan Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 2020 1 – 2 PM
NASW Facebook Live Town Hall – Racial Injustice the Other Pandemic
Friday, June 19, 2020 2 – 3:30 PM
Penny Stamps Speaker Series + DPTV Present Osborne Macharia with Blinky Bill
Friday, June 19, 2020, 8 PM
Juneteenth Walk for Racial Justice
Saturday, June 20, 2020, 9 AM
In Ann Arbor the NAACP has always hosted the Juneteenth Observance on the 3rd Saturday of June at Wheeler Park.
Wheeler Park is named for:
Albert H. Wheeler (1915 – April 4, 1994) was an American life-sciences professor and politician in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He became the city’s first African-American mayor, serving in the office from 1975 to 1978.
Profession: Politician
Died: April 4, 1994
Children: Alma Wheeler Smith
Since 1923 the Ann Arbor Community Center has been serving in this Community. We are thankful for all that have supported us. We are thankful for those that still do! We encourage you to call us if you have a need or know someone who does. We will do everything we can to help as we always have. Enjoy this holiday and the freedoms we all have.
Remember the Virus is still here. Practice Social distancing as you celebrate! Wear a mask, Wash your hands!
We will get through this together as a caring community!
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