Celebrating Juneteenth
Dear Prince Georgians:
Today is Juneteenth, and we are proud to join the nation in recognizing and celebrating this day which commemorates the emancipation of all enslaved African Americans. The commemoration of Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom, but an opportunity for us to reflect on our journey thus far while we look forward to the days ahead.
The history of Juneteenth is a reminder of the importance of fighting for equality and justice for all. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, federal troops issued an order that ultimately freed 250,000 enslaved African Americans who were unaware that their freedom had already been granted by President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation almost two and half years earlier. Similar to the Federal Government, Juneteenth is also officially a recognized holiday now in Prince George’s.
Juneteenth is a time for us to celebrate the tremendous progress that we have made, but we must also use this opportunity to recognize all that still needs to be done. We hope that Prince Georgians will join us in committing to the continued work ahead, and encourage you to celebrate today with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Happy Juneteenth!
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
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