On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. However, Emancipation Proclamation, could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control.
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When some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas on June 19, 1865, Freedom Finally Came. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by the General Order No 3 issued by General Gordan Granger.
This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."
Malcolm X
FREE YOUR MIND AND THE REST WILL FOLLOW.
“When peace come they read the ’Mancipation law to the cullud people. [The freed slaves] spent that night singin’ and shoutin’.
Also known as the African-American Heritage Flag was created in 1967 by Melvin Charles and Gleason T. Jackson. The flag is an ethnic flag that represents the culture and history of African-American people.
Created activist Ben Haith.
The Star: represents the Lone Star State & the freedom of African Americans.
The Red, White and Blue represents the American flag,
a reminder that the enslaved people and their descendants were and are Americans.
CHARLES A. MELTON
ARTS AND EDUATION CENTER
501 E. Miner Street- West Chester PA
10:00AM-NOON
WC NAACP FLAG RECOGNITION CEREMONY
Art and Poetry Contest Presentation
1:00PM
Movie & Popcorn
3PM-6PM AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES
Students in grades 6-12, enrolled in the West Chester Area School District are invited to join us in our 2023 Juneteenth celebration by participating in this year’s Juneteenth Art & Poetry Contest.
Students are invited to submit a creation of visual art or poetry that embraces this year’s theme. All submissions must be the “original” work of the student.
Winners will awarded a
1) monetary prize, 2) a certificate of participation, 3) a youth membership to the West Chester branch of the NAACP and have the opportunity to share their work during the West Chester NAACP Flag Raising Ceremony. Winners or their representative, must be present at the Juneteenth Celebration to receive their award.*
REMINDER: All submissions must be the “original” work of the student. Students may only submit one (1) entry. *Winners or their representative, must be present at the Juneteenth Celebration to receive their award.
Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall, Rochester by Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852
Juneteenth became a federal holiday 6-17-2021
White House Proclamation
Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens:
He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. A feeling has crept over me, quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech. The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning. I trust, however, that mine will not be so considered. Should I seem at ease, my appearance would much misrepresent me. The little experience I have had in addressing public meetings, in country schoolhouses, avails me nothing on the present occasion.
Oration, Delivered in Corinthian Hall, Rochester by Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852
As a Federal, National holiday Juneteenth serves as an acknowledgement and a reminder of how freedom and justice in the US has always been delayed for black people.
Juneteenth should serve as a reminder that it's up to ALL OF US to be part of the solution.
West Chester PA NAACP
PO Box 196, West Chester, PA 19380, USA
Copyright © 2020 West Chester PA NAACP - All Rights Reserved.
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