‘It’s freedom, it celebrates freedom’: Evansville community honors Juneteenth

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Juneteenth, the federal holiday which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, was on Wednesday.

This year marks the second year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday, but in the African American community, it’s been celebrated for more than a century.

Juneteenth’s origin dates back to 1865. It was then on June 19th in Galveston, Texas, that the last group of enslaved people were informed of their freedom.

Since then celebrations have grown around the country, Evansville included.

“Even though it’s only the second year as a federal holiday, it’s still important that we celebrate it to provide awareness for people because Juneteenth is fairly new to the country in terms of being a holiday,” said Kori Miller, Executive Director at the African American Museum of Evansville.

He says Juneteenth is about celebrating everything that African Americans have achieved since the end of slavery.

“It’s just like you celebrate July 4th, it’s freedom, it celebrates freedom and it’s a good thing to celebrate,” said Miller.

Miller’s hoping as years pass, more can be done to honor this holiday.

“I think the more that people find out and understand what the significance is of June 19th, I think it’s something that everyone can get behind,” said Miller.

The African American Museum of Evansville spearheaded many of the Juneteenth celebrations this year.

Also on Wednesday, at Bosse Field, was the Otter’s Juneteenth game, sponsored by the African American Museum of Evansville.

This was the 4th annual Negro league Otter’s tribute game.