Celebrating Juneteenth
Monday, June 20, 2022, is the official day the nation is celebrating Juneteenth.
Last year President Joe Biden declared June 19th a federal holiday meaning federal businesses such banks, post offices and Wall Street are closed today. Juneteenth is not currently a state holiday in Florida.
The holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved black Americans. A flag has even been created to honor the day. It’s pictured here. The red, white and blue colors represent those in the American flag. The white star in the middle represents Texas, the Lone Star State. The design has a lot more symbolism.
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863, which freed slaves in Union states, however, rebellious Confederate States did not oblige.
June 19th is the day in 1965 when Union Soldiers landed in Galveston Bay, announcing that the Civil War was over and that enslaved black people were free. Florida declared Emancipation Day a month sooner, on May 20, 1865.
Celebrating Juneteenth in Southwest Florida, the majority of activities were held over the weekend. The events grow every year.
Besides Juneteenth, we are celebrating the sun at Sunny 106.3, with a trip to Key West aboard the Key West Express. Register to win and find out more here.
