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Honoring Juneteenth

06/08/2021
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Juneteenth 3

On June 19 people across the United States will observe, honor and celebrate Juneteenth. Recently, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee officially declared Juneteenth a state holiday. He signed House Bill 1016, making June 19 a paid holiday for state workers beginning in 2022.

"Major General Gordon Granger and 1,800 Union troops landed in Galveston, Texas on June 18, 1865. The next day, June 19, 1865, he issued General Orders, No. 3, declaring that the last remaining enslaved people in the United States were finally free." (https://freedomcenter.org/voice/story-juneteenth/)

Juneteenth (the words June and nineteenth put together) commemorate that day. “From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

“Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.” (Juneteenth World Wide Celebration)

Learn the history of Juneteenth at the above two sites and do additional research on your own before celebrating this important day in U.S. history.

Below is a list of events across our state to help you observe and honor Juneteenth. If there are other events, please email us at WEA@washingtonea.org and we will add it to the list.


June 18 Events:

Seattle

Lynnwood


June 19 Events:

Vancouver

Tacoma

Seattle

Bellingham

Everett

Spokane

Coeur d’Alene, ID

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