Image via Dallas Observer
Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, the freeing of slaves was neither encouraged nor enforced in Texas until June 19, 1865. Oh, Texas.
Check your local listings for celebrations throughout the state. But Houston held a re-dedication ceremony at Third Ward’s Emancipation Park on Saturday and is hosting a Juneteenth festival today from 10am-5pm.
The park land was first purchased in 1872 by a group of black community leaders for the celebration of Juneteenth and, more than twenty years, it was the only public park in Houston open to African-Americans. It’s time for everyone to get down there and celebrate!
