On June 19, staff and residents at CareLink’s Senior Independent Living (SIL) program in Philadelphia celebrated the Juneteenth holiday with colorful decorations and a selection of delicious, homemade foods.
“Today, we celebrated freedom,” said SIL Program Manager Rachael Robinson.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. Its history dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of slavery, effectively enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation that had been issued two-and-a-half years earlier.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated with a mix of historical reflection, cultural festivities, and community gatherings. The holiday serves as a reminder of the progress made in the fight for civil rights, while also highlighting the challenges that persist in the pursuit of racial justice.
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