Juneteenth: Not just a day of Remembrance
Juneteenth: Not just a day of Remembrance
History is made in the present as much as it is in the past.
Juneteenth: “On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln's historic Emancipation Proclamation, U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, informing the people of Texas that all enslaved individuals were finally free. Granger was in command of the Headquarters District of Texas, and his troops had just arrived in Galveston the day before.” - National Archives
Source: Library of Congress
Title: Emancipation Day, Richmond, Va
Summary: The photograph shows an Emancipation Day parade on Main Street, Richmond, Virginia. The building in the back is 1000 Main Street.
This morning, I took the time to revisit the history of Juneteenth as documented by the Library of Congress. If you're not familiar with it, consider taking a moment to learn about the history and stories.
Reminder: This is a powerful reminder that it's not just the existence of a law that brings about a change in society. It's the actual enforcement and wholehearted acceptance by its citizens that truly bring about change. Active and engaged citizenship is important to effectuate change. Not just back then but today as well.
#MentorMoment: Consider sharing these materials with young, up-and-coming professionals. Remembering our history is an essential part of learning and personal growth. Today, I shared these resources with a few young professionals who were not familiar with the significance of this holiday and why it matters. Once they've had a chance to read them, engage in a conversation about their perspective and share your own. That's exactly what I plan to do.
Materials: Library of Congress and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Articles:
https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/june-19/
https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/juneteenth-original-document
https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/06/the-birth-of-juneteenth-voices-of-the-enslaved/
Feel free to share this with your mentor circle members.