Join me in recognizing Juneteenth 2022 after the date was finally christened a federal holiday last year. It was on June 19 in 1865 when word of emancipation finally reached enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Here’s to the work that still has to be done so that everyone is truly free in EVERY way, starting with the Voting Rights Act.
By the way – Opal Lee, who fought for years for Juneteenth to be recognized as a federal holiday, is from my home town of Fort Worth, Texas?
The Biden-Harris Administration observes and celebrates Juneteenth — and recommits to our nation’s shared work to ensure racial justice, equity, and equality in America. pic.twitter.com/HieIsxOZoW
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 19, 2022
It's thanks to the extraordinary activism of people like Ms. Opal Lee that Juneteenth is now a federal holiday. It was an honor to meet with her last year at the White House.pic.twitter.com/H1A9x406y2
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 20, 2022
I can think of no better way to celebrate Juneteenth than by spending time with community. The @SecondGentleman and I were proud to welcome families to our home for the first-ever Juneteenth celebration at the Vice President’s Residence. pic.twitter.com/hiF7plH71H
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 20, 2022
This #Juneteenth, we celebrate the emancipation of Black Americans and honor those who fought for this nation to live up to its founding ideals of liberty and equality for all.
May we honor their legacies through action — building a world fueled by justice and steeped in equity.
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) June 19, 2022
Today marks 157 years since slavery ended in the U.S.
Pres. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, abolishing slavery.
But it took over 2 years for the news to reach the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, TX. That day is celebrated as #Juneteenth. pic.twitter.com/9dDomInEeI
— AJ+ (@ajplus) June 19, 2022
On #Juneteenth we mark the day enslaved Black Americans in TX finally heard of the Emancipation Proclamation —and recommit to the work of our civil rights heroes to pursue justice and in Lincoln’s words, “swell the chorus of the Union, touched by the better angels of our nature.” pic.twitter.com/hFun86PDrx
— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) June 19, 2022