On Saturday, the City of Orlando, State Senator Geraldine Thompson along with Orlando city Commissioner Bakari Burns held a festival to recognize Juneteenth: a day that recently became a federal holiday in June 2021. At the festival, the community enjoyed free food, various family activities, music, vendors and a host of other entertainment.
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation or Freedom Day, is a holiday in the United States that commemorates the day enslaved African Americans were considered free Americans. June 19th, 1865 is the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War. This event occurred more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation which had formally freed enslaved people in the South. The day is now recognized as a time to celebrate African American culture and heritage.
The City of Orlando stated, “This annual event is part of the City of Orlando’s continued efforts to create a more equitable, welcoming community and ensure that all residents are equally protected and have equitable access to opportunities that help them thrive.”
