The history of Juneteenth

152 years ago today in 1865 Union Soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the civil war had ended and those enslaved were free.

This is Centennial Christian Church and every year this congregation looks to the past at an historic event as they move to the future. “They can see local entrepreneurs; and then, they can also see the kindness that people can show them in the community”.

Though slavery has been out of practice for over 150 years, Juneteenth is still a day that is celebrated among many who want to make sure the relevance of the day isn’t forgotten.

This year’s festival took place at City Park, with music, food, vendors, and speeches from dignitaries.

Fathers, grandfathers and father figures received gold crowns shortly after the parade because Wright said she wanted the men to “remember that they’re kings, not only for today but from this point on”. 152 years later, Northwest Arkansas is celebrating Juneteenth for the 19th year.

Khadijah White-Weston, Miss Juneteenth 2017, said she is planning to be a first-generation college student at Clark Atlanta University, which is a historically black college.

I first blogged about Juneteenth previous year. “It’s history. We have to know where we came from to know where we’re going”. Overall, America may not be at its best state right now.

“It’s an important celebration for African Americans all over the country”, said Ursula Davis, a professor at Bergen Community College, as a band played in the background. “I think the problem is people stop talking and just remain angry”, said Walls. In something that gives a focus to all the other things he knows to be real.

The inside of the festival’s heritage tent is lined with 19 trifold boards covered in pictures and text detailing the history of slavery and pan-Africanism dating back to centuries.

The event was put on by the NAACP of Sioux City.