Juneteenth, a Celebration of Freedom – The City of Lebanon

Juneteenth, a Celebration of Freedom. The City of Lebanon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission invites the community to join us in the City’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2022 at 5pm in Colburn Park, downtown Lebanon.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Although President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued January 1, 1863, it took more than two years for the institution of slavery to end in Texas. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in that state. President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independent Day Act into Law on June 17, 2021.

The program will include musical performances, a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, and a presentation about formerly enslaved people who resided in Lebanon and the abolitionist movement in our community. Traditional red punch and red velvet cake will be served. Please join us on June 19 at 5pm for this very special celebration of freedom!