by David J. Kent
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
On June 19, 1865, United States Army Major General Gordon Granger delivered to the people of Galveston, Texas, General Order No. 3, informing them that in accordance with Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, "all slaves are free." Over time, June 19th became the portmanteau, "Juneteenth," and a symbol of independence from slavery.
Slavery, of course, would officially end with the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865, but Juneteenth remains the emblematic date for the end of slavery. Celebrated for many years by the African American community, the date was made a federal holiday by President Biden in 2021.
This year, you can join Frederick Douglass in celebration of Juneteenth in Washington, DC on June 19th. Sponsored by the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, acclaimed presenter Nathan Richardson will appear as Frederick Douglass at Lincoln Park, home of the Emancipation Memorial (aka, the Freedmen's Memorial). Douglass was the keynote speaker at the dedication of the Memorial in 1876. This year, Richardson will recite Frederick Douglass's "Oration on the Memory of Abraham Lincoln" speech beginning at 6:30 pm. His presentation will be immediately followed by a jazz concert by the Ronan Zwa Quartet, featuring Jose Andre, Kevin Kearney, and Tyson Semester.
In addition to Lincoln Park, many other venues in the Washington, DC area are celebrating Juneteenth, including special exhibitions at several of the Smithsonian museums.
The National Archives will be displaying both the Emancipation Proclamation and Granger's "General Order No. 3."
Juneteenth is being celebrated all over the country, so check out your local area for more regional events.
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