Some background on Juneteenth, why it is so revered by the African-American community and additional information about the event from Glenn Alford's press release:
- President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all enslaved persons in the Confederate States were freed on Sept. 22, 1862. But the proclamation could be enforced only behind the Union Army lines and as the Civil War continued, many slave owners took their slaves to Texas, the southernmost slave state. By 1865, there were some 250,000 enslaved persons in Texas.
- On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger took command of the 2,000 troops in Galveston, Texas, and then read General Order No. 3, informing Texans that all enslaved persons were henceforth free, effectively ending slavery.
- Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday June 17, 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
- [June 22, 2024] Ethnic and traditional foods will be served starting at noon. Chicken and barbecued ribs, ethnic side dishes, corn bread, watermelon and red velvet cake will be served. Hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available. Activities will be kid-friendly with plenty of games to play and prizes. For adults, there will be ethnic music, an auction, raffles and a red velvet cake baking contest. NAACP 2024 Scholarship winners will be revealed. We will also honor the memory of our deceased brothers Branch President Ken Monroe and longtime members Jim Robinson, John MacKay and Billy Lake.
Follow the NAACP on Facebook atfacebook.com/Pocatello.Branch.NAACP. Tickets are $25 donation for adults, $15 donation for children ages 6-12, and children five and under eat and participate free. They are available at the NAACP booth at the Farmers Market, Pocatello Senior Center, the College Market, The Grapevine, by emailing pocatellonaacp@live.com, calling 208-478-2150, writing Pocatello Branch NAACP, P.O. Box 4192, Pocatello, ID 83205, or pay for tickets at Eventbrite https://bit.ly/4bfCffw.
