Every year, I believe I can feel the love of the ancestors reaching out to me, supporting with their strength, urging me to keep going. They remind me to celebrate my freedom; and yes, to eat a little BBQ and drink some strawberry soda pop.
Juneteenth gives us a special day to celebrate liberty and to honor the courage of those who stepped out from bondage to carve out lives in unfamiliar and treacherous frontiers. ...
On June 19th, 1865 - Juneteenth - two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and those who had been slaves were free. Juneteenth, Nestled between Flag Day and Independence Day, is another powerful anchor in the American experience.On June 19th - later to be known as Juneteenth - in Galveston, Texas, African Americans also gathered to celebrate. The festivities centered around family, friends, and community and was a time for thanksgiving, reflection, remembering, and prayer.
In counter-point to their experiences as "Property of the Massa", the freed men and woman dressed up and served up a bounty of food which included a main course featuring - of course - barbecue and red soda water.
This year, there will be celebrations in cities and towns from Nacogdoches, Texas to White Plains, New York to Roanoke, Virginia; in other words, all across America. These commemorations range from traditional parades and cookouts, to scuba diving demonstrations to more than a dozen Afrospear bloggers enlisting their talents to honor Juneteeth by creating dedicated posts on their individual blogs.
What do you do?
Comments: (152)
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By: AbrahamSPKS56 on 6/18/2008 9:42AM
Thank You to the Village parents that brought them through-Holding on. That same spirit tugs at my family and I. Juneteenth is especially sombering because of the humanity it gave to a people. Thank you GOD for the promise you made Abraham "Let us get our inheritance. Much love for the ancestors.
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By: Mike on 6/19/2008 6:23AM
Thank you I will celebrate it.
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By: Doc on 6/19/2008 7:01AM
Why is it necessary to have a picture of "massa abe lincoln" in this article. Please don't be dumb enough to say because he "freed" the slaves.
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By: rrob on 6/19/2008 7:04AM
big up urself my ppl's
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By: Kiwi on 6/19/2008 7:18AM
Unfortunately, most Americans regardless of race have never heard of it. I'm not saying we should have the day off but Americans should be educated on this.
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By: caol sharp, on 6/19/2008 7:46AM
What a marvelous Black history fact (Little Known); Hopefully our people will reflect on our ancestors and give thanks to them and to our Lord and savior.
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By: Inez G. Scott on 6/19/2008 7:35AM
Thank you for educating me on this great Black History event, I give thinks to God above all, and to the ancerstors for their faithfulness
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By: LOUIS on 6/19/2008 7:36AM
THIS IS GREAT DID NOT KNOW THIS WHAT A SHAM IT TOOK TWO YEARS AFTER THE FACT TO COME FREEDOM THANK GOD IT CAME
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By: NB on 6/19/2008 7:44AM
If you don't have the knowledge of Juneteenth, then I suggest you find out some information and educate yourself. Most americans may not know about the celebration, however Africian Americans may know about Juneteenth.
This day is a big celebration in PGH. Wamo Radio does advertise Juneteenth.
Maybe Juneteenth should be advertised on all radio stations instead of the radio staions that mostly Afician Americians listen to, and it would be known to americians of all races.
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By: E. Abraham on 6/19/2008 8:03AM
I will give thanks to GOD for the strenght of a people who fought to survive and not all die and fade from this earth. We live because of their strenght and their DNA. I hope that one day, homage will be given on Juneteenth, by wreaths being floated in the sea where these slave ships arrived in America.
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