Juneteenth Federal Holiday, Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Why Juneteenth is a sacred day for African Americans? 

 Juneteenth, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas found out they had been freed. The U.S. government was slow to embrace the occasion. Although President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves in 1863, it could not be enforced in many places in the South until the Civil War in 1865. Even then, some white people who had profited from their unpaid labor were reluctant to share the news. 

Ms. Opal Lee, a former teacher and activist, and cousin to Madison City Alder Amani Latimer- Burris, is largely credited for rallying others behind a campaign to make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday. It was Miss Opal Lee, standing next to President Joe Biden when he signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth or June 19th, as a Federal Holiday in 2021. The day has been called Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, Second Independence Day and Emancipation Day.

Does how you celebrate Juneteenth matter if you aren't Black? Dr. Karida Brown, a sociology professor at Emory University whose research focuses on race, said there is no reason to feel awkward about wanting to recognize Juneteenth because you have no personal ties or you are not Black. In fact, embrace it. She challenges her non-Black fokes to lean into Juneteenth and celebrate. If you want to bring some authenticity to recognition of Juneteenth, educate yourself.

Madison has a long history of celebrating Juneteenth. On June 4, the Juneteenth Day Flag was raised in front of the Madison City County Building, Madison Kujichagulia Madison Center for Self Determination will host Madison's Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15, noon - 6:00 p.m. at Penn Park. Annie Weatherby-Flowers, long-time Juneteenth organizer said "Juneteenth is the one event that is totally dedicated to the lived experiences and accomplishments of Black Americans here in Madison and across the nation. Juneteenth is a day of reflection, a day of renewal, a moment in time taken to appreciate experience. It is inclusive of all races, ethnicities and nationalities, as nothing is more comforting than the hand of a friend. The theme for Juneteenth 2024 is "Jubilee". Rooted in education, entertainment and fostering a vibrant and safe environment for the community. "Jubilee" marks a joyous celebration of emancipation of African Americans: "Jubilee".

35th ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION IN MADISON 

Black Resilience & Cohesion Reclamation | Saturday, June 15, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

• 10:00 a.m. | Staging at Fountain of Life Church, Badger Road, 633 W. Badger Rd., Madison, WI 53713 
• 10:45 a.m. | Parade start at Fountain of Life Church
• 12:00 noon | Opening Celebration at Penn Park, 2101 Fisher St., Madison, WI 53713
• Entertainment | Food Vendors | Activities | Local Businesses | Music | Games