Township Office Closed for Juneteenth
The Township Office will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in honor of Juneteenth.
In the United States, Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on our history, learn from it, and foster an environment that supports and empowers Black communities. Here are some facts about Juneteenth:
- Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when thousands of enslaved people in Texas were finally ordered free – nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in the U.S.
- Juneteenth has also been known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day and Independence Day. The first celebrations took place in Texas 1866, before spreading to other states.
- Juneteenth celebrations include community gatherings, educational events, music, and parades that take place across the country, with the longest history of celebrations taking place in Texas and other states in the Southwest and Midwest.
- In 1979, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a day of observance. On June 17, 2021, Juneteeth was officially recognized as a federal holiday.
- The Juneteenth Flag of Freedom features red, white, and blue colors which represent the American flag. The star in the center represents Texas (the Lone Star State) as well as the freedom of African Americans in all 50 states. The burst outlining the star is inspired by a nova, or new star, representing a new beginning for African Americans. The arc in the center represents a new horizon, symbolizing the opportunities and promise that lay ahead for Black Americans. Every year, a Juneteenth flag raising ceremony takes place in Galveston, where the news of emancipation was first delivered in Texas.
To discover more about Juneteenth, click here to visit the website of the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
