I Organized a Voter Registration Event At a Juneteenth Festival. Are DUers Familiar w Juneteenth?

[mod mom]

I had known that it was a festival attended by many Af Ams but never knew the real significance of the celebration until just recently. Here is some background:

What is JUNETEENTH?

Juneteenth, or June 19th, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread before this, actual emancipation did not come until General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3, on June 19th, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

But Didn't the Emancipation Proclamation Free Us?

President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22nd, 1862, notifying the states in rebellion against the Union that if they did not cease their rebellion and return to the Union by January 1st, 1863, he would declare their slaves forever free. Needless to say, the proclamation was ignored by those states that seceeded from the Union. Furthermore, the proclamation did not apply to those slave-holding states that did not rebel against the Union. As a result, about 800,000 slaves were unaffected by the provisions of the proclamation. It would take a civil war to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to formally outlaw slavery in the United States.

When is Juneteenth Celebrated?

Annually, on June 19th, in more than 200 cities in the United States. Some cities sponsor week-long celebrations, culminating on June 19th, while others hold shorter celebrations.

Why is Juneteenth Celebrated?

It symbolizes the end of slavery. Juneteenth has come to symbolize for many African-Americans what the fourth of July symbolizes for all Americans -- Freedom. It serves as a historical milestone reminding Americans of the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery. It honors those African-American ancestors who survived the inhumane institution of bondage, as well as demonstrating pride in the marvelous legacy of resistance and perseverance they left us.

-snip

http://www.juneteenthohio.net/whatisjuneteenth.htm

[EFerrari]

1. When I lived in Berkeley, my kids and I got to go to some really great

Juneteenth celebrations.

http://www.berkeleyjuneteenth.org/

:hi:

[mod mom]

6. Ours in Ohio is a 3 day festival.

I really enjoyed working with the volunteers I worked with. They would not take no from young folks who said no they weren't interested in voting. They would say..."you get back over and here and I'm going to tell you why you should vote. They would make those young people listen to their reasoning until they were convinced. It was a very interesting and fun event.

:hi: back at you!

[Mabus]

2. We used to man the NAACP table at the one back home

We always had a lot of fun. We haven't changed our NAACP membership to the local chapter since we moved to Maryland. Thanks for the reminder to do this.

[LWolf]

3. I'm familiar with Juneteenth.

I attended a Juneteenth festival every year before I moved here, where there is no festival.

[knitter4democracy]

4. Big celebration downtown today as part of the Cereal Festival.

Bigger one over in Kalamazoo. If I hadn't already agreed to go to the fiber festival in Marshall, I'd be there with my kids.

[loyalsister]

5. You bet

1st Annual Kansas City Memorial Juneteenth Jazz & Arts Festival

http://www.jazzmissouri.com/pressrelease.html

[crikkett]

7. yes - the other emancipation day

lots of people think June 10 is juneteenth.

[ColbertWatcher]

8. I am familiar and thank you for posting! n/t

[annabanana]

9. It deserves some National hoopla.

It was one of America's better days.

[mod mom]

10. I'm glad to see that DUers (as usual) as so well informed.

and embarrassed that I didn't know the significance. :blush:

I hope some reading this post will be enlightened. Ours is a lot of fun!

It is being held at Franklin Park in Columbus OH

Today June 14 from noon until 10pm
Tomorrow from noon until 9 pm

[msongs]

11. went tabling at the riverside celebration, for our Dem congress candidate nt

[Captain Hilts]

12. I am!!!

We should celebrate this day.

[Debi]

13. Unfortunately the majority of Iowa's Juneteenth celebrations were to begin

Friday or today and go through the next week.

[ceile]

14. Juneteenth is big in TX.

Most of the larger cities have celebrations.