‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ June 17, 2022

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on June 19th throughout the United States. It is commemorated on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865 announcement of General Order No. 3 by Union Army general Gordon Granger proclaiming freedom from slavery in Texas. Since June 19th falls on a Sunday this year, the federal holiday will be recognized on Monday, June 20th.

While Juneteenth celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation, which only freed the slaves in the South, the 13th Amendment is what officially ended slavery in the U.S. Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution The holiday is looking a little different this year than in years past, in large part resulting from the millions of Americans who took to the streets last summer to protest racial injustice in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black Americans. The protest movement sparked an ongoing dialogue around systemic racism and police brutality. Today, 48 States and Washington, D.C recognize Juneteenth as either a state Holiday or ceremonial holiday. Activists have pushed for wider recognition, including designation as a national holiday and acknowledgment by Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange.

The original Juneteenth flag was created in 1997 by Ben Haith, the founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. The flag has a blue stripe and a red stripe with a white star in the middle, an outline surrounding the star, and an arc that extends across the width of the flag.

Juneteenth Events in the Lowell

Saturday, June 18th, 11am-12pm at City Hall at 375 Merrimack Street- Flag raising. local speakers and information.This event is FREE of charge, and will be held rain or shine.

Sunday, June 19th, 11am-5pm on Market Street in downtown Lowell - Soil Arts Collective's 2nd annual Juneteenth Celebration - a day-long festival highlighting Lowell's Black history and Black artistry. It will feature a mainstage highlighting Black musicians and performers, poetry readings at Brew’d Awakening Coffehaus and Lala Books, walking Black History tours in partnership with Lowell Walks and the Lowell National Historical Park, food, and Black artisan vendors. Contact us at info@freesoilarts.org

#DEIatCTI #FreedomDay # JubileeDay #LiberationDay #EmancipationDay #Juneteenth

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