From The Mississippi Link Wire Service
An association of concerned citizens of Jackson, Mississippi organized to host the first Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 23, 2012 from 12 noon to 7 p.m.at Battlefield Park in Jackson, Mississippi for the purpose of commemorating the ending of slavery.
This will be a fun-filled, family-oriented day with free food, vendors, health fair, local speakers, live music, face painting, zoo animals, sack races, space-jumps and so much more.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom day or Emancipation day, is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.
Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or neither of these version could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln’s authority over the rebellious states was in question For whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.
Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development andrespect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing. It is now recognized as a State holiday or State holiday in observance in 41 States.
The event host is the Juneteenth Celebration Foundation of Jackson, Mississippi. For more information contact: William Sabree 601-940-0456
or Jason Clark, Event Coordinator 601-503-4235, juneteenthcelebrationjacksonms@gmail.com
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