Juneteenth National Freedom Celebration in Philadelphia
by
Bob Shipman and Ron Brown | 06.16.2008
The PA Juneteenth National Freedom Celebration takes place the dates of June 13th 2008 to June 22nd 2008. In tribute to and commemoration of Juneteenth, the oldest African-American celebrated holiday in the United States. Over 30 Philadelphia community organizations will host programs in the City of Philadelphia related to the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, Freedom, and Juneteenth.
"But, if this part of our history could be told in such a way that those chains of the past, those shackles that physically bound us together against our wills could, in the telling, become spiritual links that willingly bind us together now and into the future - then that painful Middle Passage could become, ironically, a positive connecting line to all of us whether living inside or outside the continent of Africa..."
http://www.pennsylvaniajuneteenth.com/
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Juneteenth, long a Texas celebration of the day that news of the
Emancipation Proclamation reached its shore is starting to catch on in
states where slaves received word of their freedom well before June 19,
1865.
Now some in Texas, where official word of President Abraham Lincoln's
freeing of the slaves took more than two years to arrive, want to see the
holiday they view as bigger than the Fourth of July expanded to a national
observance.
And it appears that Juneteenth celebrations are quietly gaining popularity
from coast to coast, popping up in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Colorado, Florida, California,
New York and Utah.
State Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, who got Juneteenth observed by the state
in 1979, says the way to go about achieving a national holiday designation
is to get Juneteenth celebrations recognized as state holidays elsewhere. So far, Texas, the last state to receive official word of the Emancipation
Proclamation, is the only state in the nation that recognizes Juneteenth.
"Any place where you have a politically conscious African population and
culturally conscious African population, [Juneteenth] is being
celebrated," said Kwame-Osagyefo Kalimara, a history professor at Morehouse
College in Atlanta, where Juneteenth celebrations have taken place for at
least seven years.
"If you go back 10 or 12 years ago, you wouldn't have anybody in Atlanta
talking about Juneteenth," he said. "You now have more people willing to
pick up the banner and spread the news, so to speak."
Currie Ballard, the historian in residence at Oklahoma's Langston
University, said slaves in Oklahoma received the word of Lincoln's
proclamation on Aug. 4, 1863.
For years, celebrations took place on that day.
But as the years went on, the celebrations slowed, and over time Oklahoma
citizens adopted the same date as neighboring Texas - June 19.
"Once the people who were one generation removed from slavery died, it was
not celebrated any more," Ms. Ballard said of the Aug. 4 celebration. "As of
late, people are getting more and more familiar with Juneteenth. The average
person of Oklahoma has no idea about August 4th."
A similar situation took place in Mississippi, where slaves learned of their
freedom on May 8, 1863, said Mr. Edwards. Eighth of May celebrations
commonly took place in Mississippi, but as the years went by, the
celebrations waned, he said.
Though other states had similar observances, Mr. Edwards said, "Nowhere has
it been celebrated like it is in Texas."
Juneteenth specifically refers to the news that Gen. Gordon Granger took to
Galveston Island along with a force of Union soldiers 21/2 years after
Lincoln declared American slaves free.
"Our ancestors took being free with so much pride that a lot of them would
not work on that day," Mr. Edwards said. "They kept it in our memories. They
kept it in our culture, and eventually black folks started celebrating it
more than the Fourth of July."
During a time when celebrations ceased in other states, Texas families made
sure that even if there wasn't an organized Juneteenth celebration, their
children and families were aware of the day that Gen. Granger landed at
Galveston, Mr. Edwards said.
Mr. Kalimara said it still isn't clear when slaves in Georgia received word
of their freedom. He said that as black people have started embracing their
history over the last 15 years, June 19, 1865, has become a date that blacks
everywhere can point to.
"Any time we have an opportunity to deal with the drudgery of being
enslaved, it offers an emotional release," Mr. Kalimara said of Juneteenth
celebrations. "It's growing just like Kwanzaa."
FRI. JUNE 13th PJC MOST HISTORIC MILE IN AMERICA TOUR:
Delaware & Chestnut
Walking Tour of Old City Phila. Enslavement Sites 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CONGO SQUARE Music & Spoken Word Concert 12 – 4 PM – 7th & Walnut
SAT. JUNE 14TH ISLAMIC HERTIAGE FESTIVAL & PARADE:
12:00 to 8:00 pm
Parade kicks off at 11 am @ 5th & Market to Penn’s Landing (Festival)
Music, Boat Rides, Children Activities, Speakers, Bazzar Fun For Whole Family
Special Juneteenth Tribute: Info. Call 215-222-0520
SAT. JUNE 14TH TEMPLE OF THE BLACK MESSIAH:
Juneteenth Celebration
Church of the Advocate: 18th & Diamond Street 5:00 to 9:00 PM
Donation: $5:00 (children Free)
Information call 215-221-2991 or 215-668-6712
MON. JUNE 16th JOESPH E. COLEMAN NW REGIONAL LIBRARY:
Celebrate Juneteenth with Carla Wiley: Monday, June 16th, 6 - 7 p.m. A program of storytelling and fun for the whole family Address: 68 West Chelten Avenue:
For more information, call.215-685-2155
MON. JUNE 16th LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA:
1314 Locust Street
Exhibit of “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early Republic Free to the Public 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM ; Information call (215) 546-8229
MON June 16th PHILADELPHIA’S NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM:
321 Chestnut Street
“Democracy Since Juneteenth!” 10 am to 5 pm; Info call 215-923-2800
Create colorful quilt projects and festive crafts; games; self guided tour
Participate in the creative- Vote 3 Ways - for your Presidential Candidate
TUE. JUNE 17th LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA:
1314 Locust Street
Exhibit of “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early Republic Free to the Public 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM: Info: 215-546-3181
TUE. June 17th PHILADELPHIA’S NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM:
321 Chestnut Street
“Democracy Since Juneteenth!” 10 am to 5 pm: Info call 215-923-2800
Create colorful quilt projects and festive crafts; games; self guided tour Participate in the creative- Vote 3 Ways - for your Presidential Candidate
WED. JUNE 18th LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA:
1314 Locust Street
Exhibit of “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early Republic Free to the Public 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM: Info: 215-546-3181
THUR. JUNE 19th AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM in PHILADELPHIA:
Juneteenth National Freedom Day & AAMP's 32nd Anniversary Celebration
Historical re- enactments of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman
8th & Arch Street; 12:00 to 3:00 PM
THUR. JUNE 19th LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA:
1314 Locust Street
Freedom’s Profit: Bishop Richard Allen AME Church & the Black Founding Fathers Reception 5:30 pm
Reading and Book Signing 6:00-7 pm; Info: 215-546-3181
THUR. June 19th PHILADELPHIA’S NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM:
321 Chestnut Street
“Democracy Since Juneteenth!” 10 am to 5 pm
Create colorful quilt projects and festive crafts; games; self guided tour Participate in the creative- Vote 3 Ways - for your Presidential Candidate
FRI. JUNE 20th LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA:
1314 Locust Street
Exhibit of “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early Republic Free to the Public 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM
SAT. JUNE 21st GPTMC PHILADELPHIA QUEST FOR FREEDOM:
Belmont Mansion, 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive: 12 Noon
3rd Regiment of the USCT tell visitors stories of former slaves and freed men
SAT. JUNE 21st Laurel Hill Cemetery
Free at Last; Walking Tour, commemorating
'Juneteenth' and the Civil War
Call 215-228-8200 for Tickets and Reservations
Laurel Hill Cemetery: 3822 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia PA
SUN. JUNE 22nd JUNETEENTH VOICES AND PRAISE
A Citywide Musical Tribute in Commemoration of Juneteenth 143rd Anniversary
Philadelphia Pastors, Music Ministries, Choir Directors will Dedicate Songs and Their Service to Juneteenth
JUNE 1st – June 30th PHILADELPHIA’S NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM:321 Chestnut Street
“Democracy Since Juneteenth!” 10 am to 5 pm; Info call 215-923-2800
Create colorful quilt projects and festive crafts; games; self guided tour Participate in the creative- Vote 3 Ways - for your Presidential Candidate
JUNE 1st – June 30th PHILADELPHIA’S NATIONAL LIBERTY MUSEUM: 321 Chestnut Street
Exhibit of “Black Founders: The Free Black Community in the Early RepublicFree to the Public 9:00 AM - 4:45 PM: Info: 215-546-3181
Philadelphia joins Texas in celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth, long a Texas celebration of the day that news of the
Emancipation Proclamation reached its shore is starting to catch on in
states where slaves received word of their freedom well before June 19,
1865.
Now some in Texas, where official word of President Abraham Lincoln's
freeing of the slaves took more than two years to arrive, want to see the
holiday they view as bigger than the Fourth of July expanded to a national
observance.
And it appears that Juneteenth celebrations are quietly gaining popularity
from coast to coast, popping up in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina, Colorado, Florida, California,
New York and Utah.
State Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, who got Juneteenth observed by the state
in 1979, says the way to go about achieving a national holiday designation
is to get Juneteenth celebrations recognized as state holidays elsewhere. So far, Texas, the last state to receive official word of the Emancipation
Proclamation, is the only state in the nation that recognizes Juneteenth.
"Any place where you have a politically conscious African population and
culturally conscious African population, [Juneteenth] is being
celebrated," said Kwame-Osagyefo Kalimara, a history professor at Morehouse
College in Atlanta, where Juneteenth celebrations have taken place for at
least seven years.
"If you go back 10 or 12 years ago, you wouldn't have anybody in Atlanta
talking about Juneteenth," he said. "You now have more people willing to
pick up the banner and spread the news, so to speak."
Currie Ballard, the historian in residence at Oklahoma's Langston
University, said slaves in Oklahoma received the word of Lincoln's
proclamation on Aug. 4, 1863.
For years, celebrations took place on that day.
But as the years went on, the celebrations slowed, and over time Oklahoma
citizens adopted the same date as neighboring Texas - June 19.
"Once the people who were one generation removed from slavery died, it was
not celebrated any more," Ms. Ballard said of the Aug. 4 celebration. "As of
late, people are getting more and more familiar with Juneteenth. The average
person of Oklahoma has no idea about August 4th."
A similar situation took place in Mississippi, where slaves learned of their
freedom on May 8, 1863, said Mr. Edwards. Eighth of May celebrations
commonly took place in Mississippi, but as the years went by, the
celebrations waned, he said.
Though other states had similar observances, Mr. Edwards said, "Nowhere has
it been celebrated like it is in Texas."
Juneteenth specifically refers to the news that Gen. Gordon Granger took to
Galveston Island along with a force of Union soldiers 21/2 years after
Lincoln declared American slaves free.
"Our ancestors took being free with so much pride that a lot of them would
not work on that day," Mr. Edwards said. "They kept it in our memories. They
kept it in our culture, and eventually black folks started celebrating it
more than the Fourth of July."
During a time when celebrations ceased in other states, Texas families made
sure that even if there wasn't an organized Juneteenth celebration, their
children and families were aware of the day that Gen. Granger landed at
Galveston, Mr. Edwards said.
Mr. Kalimara said it still isn't clear when slaves in Georgia received word
of their freedom. He said that as black people have started embracing their
history over the last 15 years, June 19, 1865, has become a date that blacks
everywhere can point to.
"Any time we have an opportunity to deal with the drudgery of being
enslaved, it offers an emotional release," Mr. Kalimara said of Juneteenth
celebrations. "It's growing just like Kwanzaa."
Mr. Edwards said he is asking state legislators elsewhere to get Juneteenth
recognized in their states. He hopes with states' support, the holiday will
eventually be recognized nationwide, like Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
"It's catching on, and it's continuously growing," Mr. Edwards said. "I had
no idea 22 years ago when I sponsored this bill, which I struggled, fought
and prayed would get passed, that it would do what it is doing."
And Mr. Kalimara expects the holiday will continue to spread because unlike
Emancipation Day, a celebration marking the actual day Lincoln signed the
proclamation - Jan. 1, 1863 - Juneteenth was the day word made it to the
people most affected by the action.
"It's one thing to say you're free on a document," he said, "but the date of
delivery happens to be even more significant.
"African-Americans are saying, 'I want a holiday that we will celebrate and
we will define, whether the power structure defines it or not.' It's an act
of self-determination."
Ronald Brown asks us to join in the PJC efforts described below. Last year was a success the growth will be huge.
One hundred and forty-four years ago, the trumpet was sounded, calling for descendants, freedom fighters, from the many nations in Africa, to joined rank, at Camp William Penn, to reunite their families, to address the issue of slavery in America's communities. PJC is sounding up the trumpet, calling for modern day freedom fighters to join rank, in this nation murder capital, Philadelphia. Freedom Fighters are being called on to lead our families, our culture, in the atoning of our ways in the world; to lead our families, our culture, and our communities, in addressing the modern day slavery elements within, healing the scares of slavery; removing the skeletons in our closets; exorcising the sickness and diseases within; making atonement; cleansing our home, our temple.
In the year 2008, PJC has decided to embark on a Freedom Mission to save lives, free souls. As part of PJC 12th annual Philadelphia Juneteenth National Freedom Celebration,
PJC has discovered from our research, some sad but true facts, the youth, young adults, who are committing the violence and murders, in our communities are also the sons, nephews, grandsons and cousins of the old heads and former gang members. In our recognition of this true reality, PJC has taken pages from the African and African-American historical and cultural archives, in incorporating a Cease Fire Call.
In our interview with the young criminals who are committing the violent criminal acts. We have discovered that the young criminal is angry at, at least one parent, angry at adults. They talk about the pain growing up, seeing their parent addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling. They talk about the times when there was no food on the table: the times when their parent would have these no good persons coming in and out of their house, revolving door. They talk about not being able to emotionally handle the pain of a parent or love one suffering or dying from a disease, or illness. They talk about their posse with similar problems as them, being more of a brother, then their own brother. They talk about seeing, knowing, or hearing about, their relative gangster lifestyle, life of crime. They talk about their boss drug dealer, partner in crime, being more of a father, then their own father. They talk about the pain of never seeing or knowing their father. They see adults, as living a lie, living contradictory lives, not having the quality time for them. They see adults as older people, who talk down to them, and who do not allow them to speak or express themselves.
The Cease Fire Call are designed to allow the youth to have their say, to express why they are committing the violence in their community. If you know of any youth or young adult who is living the life of the criminal, please bring them to a event.
The Cease Fire Call format will start off with an introduction, session one will follow..
Why is PJC interested in having reunions, as part of our Juneteenth National Freedom Celebration? If you trace the re-union concept, you will learn that before Juneteenth, enslaved Africans, enslaved African-Americans, could not host family reunions, it was against the law to do so. Jim Crow laws were enacted to forbid people of African and Caribbean descent from congregating in public. Family reunion celebrations originated in America, when United States Colored Troops (USCT) and Union Soldiers freed the last remaining enslaved Africans in America, in Galveston Texas, on June 19, 1865. On this historic date, Africans danced, rejoiced, and celebrated in the streets, after learning of their Freedom. Africans called this spontaneous celebration, Juneteenth. Thus reunions, barbecuing, parading, entertaining, oratories, recitals, pageants, fun, and good times, subsequently became a part of annual Juneteenth celebrations and family reunion celebrations.
Many of these events and discussions would center on what was going on in the neighborhood, or what was going on in their personal life.
The Juneteenth Cease Call is being held, to decrease/cease the violence in our streets, and in respect of, African-American oldest holiday, America's true Independence Day, Juneteenth; the day when all Americans were finally free.
major portions of this article from email to me from
Ron Brown PJC
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Comments
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
Submitted by Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. (not verified) on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:47amWe honor our ancestors, Americans of African descent, who heard the news of freedom on the "19th of June", 1865, and celebrated in the streets of Galveston, Texas. "None are free, until all are free!" Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery in America that we have embraced as African-Americans.
Juneteenth is America's 2nd Independence Day celebration. 29 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance, as well as the District of Columbia and the Congress of the United States.
Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!
"DOC"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
www.Juneteenth.us
www.19thofJune.com
www.njclc.com
www.JuneteenthJazz.com
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
Submitted by Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. (not verified) on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:47amWe honor our ancestors, Americans of African descent, who heard the news of freedom on the "19th of June", 1865, and celebrated in the streets of Galveston, Texas. "None are free, until all are free!" Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery in America that we have embraced as African-Americans.
Juneteenth is America's 2nd Independence Day celebration. 29 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance, as well as the District of Columbia and the Congress of the United States.
Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!
"DOC"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
www.Juneteenth.us
www.19thofJune.com
www.njclc.com
www.JuneteenthJazz.com
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
Submitted by Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D. (not verified) on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 12:47amWe honor our ancestors, Americans of African descent, who heard the news of freedom on the "19th of June", 1865, and celebrated in the streets of Galveston, Texas. "None are free, until all are free!" Juneteenth is the celebration of the end of slavery in America that we have embraced as African-Americans.
Juneteenth is America's 2nd Independence Day celebration. 29 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance, as well as the District of Columbia and the Congress of the United States.
Together we will see Juneteenth become a national holiday in America!
"DOC"
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
www.Juneteenth.us
www.19thofJune.com
www.njclc.com
www.JuneteenthJazz.com
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