06/08/2026
What is Juneteenth and why does it matter? π
On January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate States "...are, and henceforward, shall be free. It wasn't until 2 years, 5 months and 18 days later that this would be true.
On June 19, 1865, Union general, Gordon Granger, rode into Texas to announce the Civil War has ended and enslaved people were now free. Texas was the last state to uphold slavery.
The first Juneteenth celebrations occurred a year later in 1866 and included prayers, music and other cultural activities. Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021.
Celebrate Juneteenth with us on Friday, June 19 from 3-7 p.m. at our annual Carr's Beach Reunion: Juneteenth Celebration.
π https://www.annapolis.gov/2174/Juneteenth-Celebration