Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.
The day is also called “Emancipation Day” and “Freedom Day.”
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862. It went into effect on January 1, 1863. However, slaves were not set free in the Confederacy until the Union Army took over. On June 18, 1865, the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas. The next day, General Gordon Granger announced that the slaves in Texas were free by order of the President of the United States. The first Juneteenth celebration took place the very next year.
Celebrations of the day include parades, marches and barbecues. Many gather for ceremonies that include public service awards, prayer and the raising of the Juneteenth Flag of Freedom. The flag is half red and half blue with a star in the middle.
Juneteenth also celebrates African American culture.
As the late United States Representative John Lewis righteously stated, “You must never ever give out. We must keep the faith because we are one people. We all live in the same house, the American house.”
On June 17, 2021, at the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, President Joseph Biden said, “Great nations don’t ignore their most painful moments. They don’t ignore those moments of the past. They embrace them. Great nations don’t walk away. We come to terms with the mistakes we made. And in remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger.”
This year, the Voorhees Cultural and Diversity Committee is hosting a Juneteenth celebration on June 21 from 1pm-4pm at Connolly Park. Enjoy music, performances, arts & crafts, food trucks and much more. For more information, contact Jennifer Branch Stewart at (609)941-9055.
Let us continue with our commitment to equality and inclusivity. There is still much work to do.
** Summer hours for the Voorhees Township Town Hall will be in effect from Tuesday, May 27 to Tuesday, Sept. 2. The Township offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5:30pm and will be closed on Friday.
** The Voorhees Township 2025 Summer Concert Series at Connolly Park is back! Come out with your chairs and blankets and enjoy these great free shows. The first show is on Thursday, June 26 at 7pm, and will feature The FM Band. The second show is on Thursday, July 17 at 7pm, featuring Tramps Like Us, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band. On Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7pm The Beat Tells will entertain the audience with their Tribute to the Beatles. The shows will be even more enjoyable with Dooney’s Pub mobile bar and a variety of food trucks. For more information, visit voorheesnj.com, the Voorhees Township Facebook page or call the Show Hot Line 856-882-SHOW.
** Poll workers are needed – serve your community on Election Day! You need to be a registered voter living in Camden County, have transportation, want to help your neighbors vote, and be ready to get paid $300 for your service. Training will be provided. For more information, call 856-401-8683
** Voorhees Township is once again partnering with Morey’s Piers to offer discounted tickets for their amusement piers located on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ. Tickets may be obtained in person from the office of the Voorhees Township Clerk (856) 429-7757 and are payable by CASH ONLY. Tickets are available to residents and non-residents. Office hours now until Thursday, Aug. 28: Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm.
