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CBS News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Sacramento celebrates Juneteenth with events held citywide
Thursday marked the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth and freedom for Black Americans. The federal holiday recognizes the official end of slavery through the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. Still, enslaved people in Texas did not find out they were free until nearly two years later on June 19th, 1865. Since then, the 19th of June represents a day to celebrate freedom and community. CBS13 stopped by four different Juneteenth events happening across Sacramento on Thursday. In Oak Park, music and dancing lifted up Sacramento's Black community with a block party organized by St. Hope and Esther's Park. "We have Black vendors, Black DJs. We are celebrating us as a community," said organizer Kristen Martin. The block party was sold out, welcoming hundreds out to celebrate until 10 p.m. as the community came together in joy. "We have the day off, it's a federal holiday for us to celebrate Juneteenth. We are excited for us all to come together to celebrate this day," said Martin. The day's events focused on freedom, progress and culture. At the California State Capitol on Thursday afternoon, the California Black Agriculture Working Group celebrated the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth with music, vendors and educational resource booths for the community. Children performed traditional songs for the crowd. "It means advancement for my people. Dr. King would be proud as well. Oh my god, he would be bubbling over," said Terry Dison, a vendor at the event. In midtown, the free Juneteenth Art Walk took place all afternoon on Thursday. The celebration was a vibrant, music-filled parade and event lifting up voices, creativity and legacy. "Vendors, food, performances. It's gonna be a full day of art and joy and community and celebration," organizers told CBS13. At the California State Library, Sacramento Juneteenth Inc. hosted its 22nd annual Juneteenth VIP reception, and speakers offered a reminder of the day's meaning. "It's important because it's American history. The African American experience in America needs to be talked about. History does not need to be whitewashed or deleted," said Greg Simon, executive director of Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc. At the ceremony, difference makers in Sacramento were honored with the "Community Soldier Award." "Pleshette Robertson, Theo Dickson, as well as Mr. Antonio Harvey. Each year, we give out this award to those unheralded heroes doing work for the community, in the community," said Simon. The celebrations continue into the weekend. Friday and Saturday, Sacramento's Juneteenth Southern Soul Festival will be held in William Land Park featuring musical performances, a parade, a fashion show, more than 80 vendors and much more. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Minnesotans celebrate Juneteenth through food, music and history lessons
Across Minnesota, communities came together to celebrate a day that's more than a holiday, but the heartbeat of freedom. Juneteenth, now recognized as a federal holiday, is more than a day off; it's an important reminder of freedom delayed but never denied. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. In south Minneapolis, people gathered for food and music as children jumped Double Dutch. In north Minneapolis, there was a parade full of excitement. But at Historic Fort Snelling, people took a different approach. More than 400 people took a guided tour on the grounds where slavery once existed. Dred and Harriet Scott lived and labored there in the 1830s. A man whose fight for freedom was one of the most infamous Supreme Court decisions, where the courts denied Black people freedom. For Loretta Kennedy and her family, it was crucial to book the tour. "Everybody needs to know their name and who they were," Kennedy said. "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here." It's a day filled with love and rooted in history and hope.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Juneteenth Celebration recognizes progress and work still to be done
Jun. 19—It was a celebration with meaning as people came out late Thursday afternoon for a Juneteenth Celebration at Lions Park in Austin. A large group from the public came out to take part in community fun including kids games, music and plenty of food. But it was also a celebration of one of the biggest moments in American history when on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers brought word to Galveston, Texas that slaves there were free. According to Bryan Davis in his welcome to those gathered Thursday, that moment in time became a symbol of justice that came late, but also of hope and perseverance. "Juneteenth reminds us that freedom has never been free," said Davis, who is corporate officer for Black Leaders & Allies Advancing Cultural Knowledge (BLAACK) at Hormel Foods as well as co-chair of the Austin Human Rights commission. "It's been earned through generations of struggle, joy, culture and community. And while we celebrate today, we also reflect on the progress still needed in our workplaces, our neighborhoods and our hearts." A fusion of the words June and nineteenth, Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday for the first time in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed it into law. However, early versions of the celebration dated back to 1866 with church-centered community gatherings in Texas. "As part of the Hormel family and the Austin community, we're proud to continue the tradition of honoring our history, uplifting our people and creating space to be together," Davis said. "Not just as co-workers or community members, but as humans."
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Photos of Juneteenth celebrations commemorating end to slavery
Juneteenth celebrations took place across the U.S., commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas learned of their freedom. While long honored by Black Americans, the holiday has gained broader recognition since becoming a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, who attended an event in Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth began.
Associated Press
5 hours ago
- General
- Associated Press
Photos of Juneteenth celebrations commemorating end to slavery
Juneteenth celebrations took place across the U.S., commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas learned of their freedom. While long honored by Black Americans, the holiday has gained broader recognition since becoming a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, who attended an event in Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth began. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
