Celebrating the Juneteenth Holiday
The Mary Black Foundation’s office will be closed on Friday, June 18th in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday.What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and has been called by some “America’s true Independence Day.” The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas and is now celebrated annually on June 19 throughout the United States. Juneteenth commemorates the date (June 19, 1865) when word reached enslaved African Americans in Texas that the Civil War had ended and that they were free from slavery, which was almost two and a half years after President Lincoln had officially outlawed slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. To learn more about Juneteenth, visit: www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenthWhy We Recognize and Celebrate
In recognizing the holiday, the Foundation wishes to increase awareness about the importance of the day and encourage the community to participate in local celebrations. While there are fewer events this year due to COVID-19 precautions, several opportunities to learn about and recognize Juneteenth are organized throughout Spartanburg County. Opportunities include: a lunch & learn, seminars, community cleanup event, a heritage festival, and more! This link gives an overview of some of the events. Whether you are off or working, we can all take a few moments to reflect on the legacy of slavery in the United States, our shared humanity, and what it means to have freedom for all people.