Ahead of Juneteenth, Galveston, Texas, was recognized as being the original birthplace of the holiday.
June 16, 2023, 1:23 PMThe City of Galveston unveiled a new welcome sign June 16, 2023 that will greet visitors to the island reading"Welcome to Galveston – Birthplace of Juneteenth.", Galveston, Texas, was recognized as being the original birthplace of the African American holiday.
During the event, Galveston councilwoman Sharon Lewis shared how this unveiling gives the city hope, and broke down the word into an acronym for the audience. H for the "Hallelujah that Harriet Tubman" had leading slaves to freedom, O for opportunity, P for pushing to make things better regarding inequality and E for energy needed mentally, physically and spiritually, she said.
While the day has been celebrated since that time, it was only in 2021 that President Joe Biden, with help from Congress, made Juneteenth a federal holiday. "As a kid growing up in Galveston, Texas, I remember the mini Juneteenth Celebration throughout Texas, where people celebrated with family gatherings, great barbecue, red soda, water, and watermelon," Matthews said during the event. "We are so thankful to former State Representative Al Edwards, former State Representative Douglas Powell and former city council member Reverend James B.
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