President Obama Issues "Juneteenth" Proclamation

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Loop21, News Report, Posted: Jun 20, 2012

 On Tuesday, President Obama issued a proclamation commemorating "Juneteenth," which is the annual remembrance of the formal end of slavery in the American south.

Juneteenth is an official holiday in 42 states, celebrated on June 19 by many African-Americans.
In the year 1865, Union General Gordon Granger announced general order #3 which read: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.”

That announcement came two months after the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Read more
 

Comments

 
Anonymous

Posted Jul 21 2012

As in previous years, President Obama did not issue a Presidential Proclamation establishing Juneteenth as a national day of observance, but just another impersonal annual Juneteenth statement. Juneteenth has never been celebrated at the White House and President Obama has yet to speak to the public about the significance of Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

The White House and the U.S. Capitol were built by Americans of African descent during the tyranny of enslavement. President Obama should host a White House Juneteenth reception to honor their sacrifice.

However, thanks for supporting, writing and reporting on Juneteenth. Most importantly, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) has introduced legislation to make Juneteenth Independence Day a National Day of Observance, like Flag Day and Patriot Day.

We urge President Obama to do the right thing and join the U.S. Congress to establish Juneteenth Independence Day as a National Day of Observance in America.

Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!

"DOC"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Founder & Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP)
www.NationalJuneteenth.com

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