'Juneteenth' Celebration In Minneapolis Commemorates End Of Slavery
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States was observed Saturday in Minneapolis.
Juneteenth dates back to 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas. They delivered the news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free.
"It's my first time here, so it really means a lot," 10-year-old Zionna Edwards said.
In the middle of North Mississippi Regional Park, a community gathers to remember it's past and celebrate its future.
Juneteenth is much more than eating good barbecue, dancing and hanging out with family.
"This is our independence this is our independence day," festival-goer and Minneapolis resident Queen said.
Juneteenth is a day African-Americans celebrate freedom. The Union troops' arrival in Galveston was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
"I like to see our black community come together," 10-year-old Zionna said.
Juneteenth brings people together and resources to help them thrive.
"It's nice to hang out with people who are the same culture as you and hanging out with people who are different, meeting new people, seeing new things," Destiny Edwards said.
The event offered screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes, and canoe rides to introduce families to nature. The celebration is about unity in the community. People here say they refuse to be labeled by the violence that exists in their neighborhoods.
There's a heavy police presence, but the celebration of freedom is an example to young people of how to come together in peace.
"I absolutely think that there would not be all this violence and black-on-black crime if they had some consciousness about them," Queen said.
This year's Juneteenth celebration included an underground railroad re-enactment and focused on educating the black community about its rich culture and past.
