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Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions
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WHAT is juneteenth?
- www.Juneteenth.com
Juneteenth originated as a celebration of the ending of slavery in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 troops of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and all slaves were free. Even though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in those states in rebellion against the United States, for various reasons the decree had not yet taken effect in Texas.
The proclamation issued by General Granger - General Orders, Number3 - announced:
The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer ...
That evening, thousands of people in Galveston celebrated their freedom with dancing, singing, and feasting. In the years that followed, other southern cities also began to organized Juneteenth festivities. It was not until January 1, 1980, however, that Juneteenth was designated an official state holiday in Texas. Through the efforts of African American state legislator Al Edwards, Juneteenth became the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated not only in Texas, but in cities throughout the United States. Typical Juneteenth activities include picnics, parades, barbecues, ball games, and family reunions. It is also a time for people to recount the events of the past. Today Juneteenth has taken on a more national perspective, celebrating African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.
"Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the other man, this race and that race and the other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an inferior position. Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equal."
- Abraham Lincoln, (July 10, 1858)
2018 Juneteenth Photos
CANCELLED
2020 Juneteenth Festival: noon - 7 pm
Family Event
FREE ADMISSION! (click here)
John G Lancaster Park
21550 Willows Road
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Submit Art work for Juneteenth ad and Sponsorship
Select a photo below to enlarge and view.
vendors, Advertisers & Sponsors
Juneteenth Vendor Notice
For registered vendors - Please plan accordingly for the anticipated traffic. You have a window of 10am -11:30am to set-up. All vehicles need to be out of the vending area by 11:30am. The event is scheduled to begin promptly at 12pm. We ask that you are completely set up by 11.30pm. We ask that you vend up to 5pm or later. If you paid for a vendor space you will be provided (1) 6 foot uncovered table and (2) chairs. Non-Profits - If you reserved a space that did not include a table, please remember to bring your own table and chairs. As you enter the Park you will be greeted and escorted/directed to the vendor area.
Please remember to bring your own tent or umbrella you will need it for shade and also in case of rain.
Location:
John G Lancaster Park
21550 Willows Road
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Questions contact:
Mike Brown info@ucaconline.org
Thank you for your support!
Juneteenth Planning Committee