Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when the Union arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. But back in the 1860s, that monumental news was slow to get out. “From then on, the following year there was a celebration to mark that event,” said Reverend Andrew Jowser of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. “I think there (are) some lapses in history. We have done a good job as we should have done in making that information known to our entire country. Part of our celebration is (to) make it known. This is something we all should celebrate.” The US Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day, a US holiday. A Juneteenth celebration is being held Saturday sponsored by the Allen Chapel AME Church. Activities actually begin at 9:00 am with a history tour of the Hope Cemetery. At noon on Saturday in Standish Park, there will be music, speaking, and prayer open to the public. Jowers is a guest speaker, along with Semenya McCord as “Aunt Sukey” a runaway slave who ended up in Galesburg, Doc Patterson as Bill Pickett, and music by Pippi and Daniel. Refreshments will be provided by Allen Chapel, and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
