For the 3rd year in a row, Irmo will present a celebration commemorating Juneteenth on Monday, June 19. The celebration will begin in the Harbison Theatre at 2:30 pm and resume in the Prisma Health Amphitheater located in the Community Park of Irmo at 5 pm. There will be food trucks, dancing, a fashion show, home buying workshop, military recognition and a Gullah Geechee performance along with many vendors and exhibitors. In 2020 Mayor Barry Walker proclaimed June 19th in Irmo as Juneteenth Day. Harbison Theatre is located at 7300 College Street and the Community Park of Irmo is located at 7507 Eastview Drive.
All ages are welcome
What is Juneteenth? Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, (Juneteenth) is an important holiday celebrated in the United States on June 19th each year. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and marks the day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, the last Confederate state to enforce the abolition of slavery. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took more than two years for the news to reach all parts of the country. Juneteenth holds significant historical and cultural significance as it represents the moment when the last remaining enslaved individuals in the United States were finally freed.
The origins of Juneteenth can be traced back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and read aloud General Order No. 3, which declared that all slaves were free.
This event not only marked the liberation of enslaved African Americans in Texas but also symbolized the end of slavery in the entire United States. African American communities across the nation started celebrating Juneteenth as an annual day of remembrance and rejoicing, with various activities such as parades, picnics, music, and educational events.
Juneteenth holds immense cultural significance for African Americans and serves as a reminder of the struggles, resilience, and triumphs of their ancestors. It is a time to reflect on the harsh realities of slavery and the long road to freedom, as well as to honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. The holiday has also become an opportunity for education, promoting awareness of African American history and the ongoing fight for racial equality. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday to acknowledge its significance and to foster unity and understanding among all Americans. On this day, it is customary to consume red foods and drinks, symbolizing the blood of the enslaved and their resilience while in bondage.
On this day it is customary to consume red foods and drinks, symbolizing the blood of the enslaved and their resilience while in bondage.
