A backstory to one of the events in Houston this weekend, an independent film group in Little Rock, did a survey about why people celebrate Juneteenth, They discovered that a lot of people didn't know what it was and why it was celebrate it. They were just going for the entertainment aspect.
To set the record straight, it is a celebration of the freeing of slaves in the South. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in the Union in September 1862, but it took Major General Gordon Granger over two and a half years to finally reached the area and read General Order No. 3, officially declaring the end of slavery in the United States.
The first festivities began that very day and each year since that time, descendants of the former slaves have celebrated the momentous occasion.
Other celebrations include:
Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration 2011
(http://www.mcjcf.com)-website
*Annual “One Mile of Smiles” Parade on June 18 along Texas Parkway starts at 6 p.m. To accommodate the parade, a portion of the roadway from Buffalo Run to Court Road will close at 5 p.m.
*Willowridge High School Alumni Flag Football and Basketball Tournaments on June 18 in Hunters Glen Park from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
*Festival Under the Stars concludes the week on June 18 in Hunters Glen Park from dusk to midnight.
“MCJCF is so proud and thankful for support from the City of Missouri City, the citizens and area companies, who have contributed to our accomplishments over the past nine years,” Councilman Smith said. “I encourage everyone to come and enjoy one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the United States.”
Independence Heights Juneteenth Parade & Festival
This family-oriented event. The Parade's Theme: Someplace In Time will feature more than 100 Parade Entries will will have a duration of 1.5 hrs.
There are plenty more activities planned in Houston and the surrounding communities to keep the memory of the event alive. To find details about them visit these links.
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