Mission
The mission of Juneteenth is to provide local festivities in celebration of a day in American history when the emancipation of enslaved people was ultimately announced. It is the objective of the Manhattan Juneteenth Committee, in the planning and execution of this annual event, to promote community cohesion through the gathering of all people in one municipal locality. This includes local businesses, organizations, law enforcement, and the like, with the hope of unifying and educating our great community through educational activities, art and music.
HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th when the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news the war had ended and the enslaved were now free. Today Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievement while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten. The roots tie back to the growing national day of pride.
WHY WE CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH
Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom–the chance for a new beginning.
Unless we expose the truth about the African-American slave experience, Americans won’t be truly free.
Never must we forget our ancestors’ endurance of one of the worst slave experiences in human history.
Every American has benefitted from the wealth blacks created through over 200 years of free labor,Juneteenth allows us to acknowledge that debt.
To encourage every former slave-holding state to follow Texas’ (and Oklahoma’s) example and make Juneteenth a state holiday.
Every day in America, blacks are reminded of the legacy of slavery. Juneteenth counters that by reminding us of the promise of deliverance.
Even on the journey to discover who we are, Juneteenth allows us to reflect on where we have been, where we are at and where we are going as a people.
Never give up hope is the legacy our enslaved ancestors left. It was this legacy that produced black heroism in the Civil War and helped launch the modern civil rights movement. It is this legacy we celebrate.
To proclaim for the entire world to hear, that human rights must never again become subservient to property rights.
History books have only told a small part of the story; Juneteenth gives us a chance to set the record straight.