Juneteenth, also referred to as “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day,” holds the distinction of being the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It had been primarily celebrated in Texas, as Juneteenth is derived from June 19th the date that enslaved peoples of Texas were finally emancipated in 1865. Although it had not been recognized as a national holiday until 2021, it is widely accecpted that the tireless efforts of Mrs. Opal Lee of Fort Worth, Texas, who firmly believed that Juneteenth (June 19) deserved to be a federal holiday celebrated with the same enthusiasm as Independence Day. For her efforts in spearheading the Juneteenth campaign, Mrs. Lee was invited by the Biden Administration to visit the Whitehouse and speak during its 2023 celebration of Juneteenth.
Mrs. Opal Lee is a remarkable 96-year-old advocate and on Sunday, June 18th, Ms. Opal Lee visited Pastor Michael Steve Brown’s True Vision Church. There Lisa Jackson presented her with a copy of The San Antonio Observer Newspaper featuring her on the cover. The Observer Newpaper article featuring Mrs. Lee emphasized her efforts and achievements through her advocacy of the Juneteenth holiday. Ms. Opal Lee is shown here with Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert Jr. . During Sunday service Mrs. Lee rose to speak to the congregation. Her remarks were inspirational as she recounted how when she was a child in Marshall,Texas Juneteenth was wildly celebrated with food , music and comraderie. She told the congregation about her journey to activisim and she extolled the enrapured listeners to “make the commitment to change/” and spoke of how the people who have been taught to hate can be taught to love. During the service members of the community were able to applaud her lifelong efforts and she was presented awards and proclaimations from the Bexar County Commissioners Court, the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum and True Vision Church.
Thanks to Ms. Opal’s tireless advocacy, Juneteenth now stands as a federal holiday, ensuring that the nation recognizes and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved individuals in the United States. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed a bill recognizing June 19 as a federal holiday, commemorating the significance of Juneteenth. This momentous achievement signifies a step towards acknowledging the painful legacy of slavery while fostering unity and understanding among all Americans.
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This book cannot be banned.
