President Biden signed legislation on Thursday, June 17th, making Juneteenth a federal holiday, just in time for this year’s celebrations!
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865. Two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Gordon Granger, a Union General, rode into Galveston, Texas. Where he delivered the message that the last enslaved Americans were finally free!
General Order No. 3 states:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and the enormous contributions by diverse African traditions that have enriched American identity, the arts, food, and so much more!
The Rainbow Dreams Educational Foundation presents the 20th Anniversary of the Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival. the festival has grown so much since its inception and now attracts thousands of attendees each year. This outdoor event will have fantastic music, art, dance, and culture and will take place in Kianga Isoke Palacio Park.
The event will be co-hosted by Ward 5 City Councilman Cedric Crear. It is FREE to the general public and will feature mouthwatering food, fantastic musical performance by talented local and established entertainers. Some of the performers include the 6 member group Block Party, the educational and performance group Molodi, and the Chicago R&B vocal group Next Movement. There will also be educational talks by community speakers, as well as a marketplace, workshops, and so much more! This will be a day to remember and celebrate that Juneteenth is now a federal holiday!