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The Fourth of July commemorates the day America declared its independence from England. Are you as familiar with the date all enslaved Black Americans finally received their independence?

With the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, slaves living in the 10 slaveholding states were deemed free, as of Jan. 1, 1863. However, slaves in Texas only learned of their freedom when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston in June of 1865 and informed them, two years after President Lincoln’s proclamation and executive order.

Annually on June 19, African Americans, and others, celebrate the date known as Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June and 19th. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating, not only the ending of slavery in the United States, but also African American culture and heritage.

In 1979, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. The observance has spread across the U.S. and beyond, with 94 percent of states officially observing the date.

Locally, the Davie County Public Library will host two events on June 19.  At 11 a.m. there will be story time for children of all ages, followed by a presentation at noon.  For more information or to register, call (336) 753-6033.