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While many haven't been aware of Juneteenth until recent years, it has been celebrated since the year after slavery ended in the United States (Photograph courtesy of readtheplaque.com)
Juneteenth National Independence Day is a holiday that celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States. The first Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas in 1866.
That celebration was only one year after June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation while in Texas.
A memorial stone in Gray celebrates the life of Jacob "Jake" Hutchings, a man born into slavery who went on to serve as Jones County's first black representativeCelebrating freedom, especially from slavery (which has oppressed and continues to oppress people across the world), is as worthy a cause of celebration than any other.
The first recorded Juneteenth celebrations where in Galveston, Texas (Photograph courtesy of Readtheplaque.com)More News from Macon
- Fun Things to Do this Week in the Heart of Georgia There will be plenty of fun, and often free, things to do in Middle Georgia from October 7th through 13th
- 35th Annual Georgia National Fair Bringing "Magic" to Middle Georgia from October 3rd through 13th Over half a million people visit the fair which has been held every year except 2000 since 1990
