All tagged juneteenth
On Wednesday, states across this nation celebrated “Juneteenth,” one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the United States. The word “Juneteenth” is a contraction, actually a portmanteau, of the month “June” and the date “Nineteenth.” Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from slavery in the United States.
Lenoir, Greene, and Jones Counties are gearing up to celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of vibrant events that honor the historical significance of this day. Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, will be marked by festivities in each county.
Kinston will be holding its annual Juneteenth celebration, this upcoming Saturday, June 17th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the African American Music Trail Park.
Juneteenth is a shortened version of “June Nineteenth.” This date in 1865 marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX, to take control of the state and make all enslaved people freed. “Juneteenth” is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday.
This week our community will host a number of activities designed to remember and celebrate the end of slavery.
For the past 11 years, Neuse Regional Libraries have held a Juneteenth program commemorating the end of slavery. Created by then Youth Services librarian Antuan Hawkins with the help of his community connections and know-how, the Juneteenth celebration began as an edutainment program to tell this important and widely unknown story. Various performers brought their talent to the Library, teaching and telling this important story in our nation’s history.
