At the June 6 Osceola County Board of County Commissioners meeting, a Juneteenth proclamation was presented to Deloris McMillon and Ann Jones of the Osceola County chapter of the NAACP by Vice Chairwoman Viviana Janer.

The proclamation noted that “on June 19, 1865, two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, word finally reached the people of Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over and that all enslaved men, women and children were now free.” Juneteenth is recognized by many Americans as a symbolic milestone in the journey toward a more perfect union.

Juneteenth, also known as, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day, is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture.

“Deloris McMillion, who along with Ann Jones received the county’s proclamation shared at the meeting, shared this, “We thank the commissioners for recognizing this holiday, and just a bit of history, I know you’ve heard – Lift Every Voice and Sing –  that was written by James Weldon Johnson, a poet in Jacksonville Florida. He wrote that poem in recognition to Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was given credit for freeing the slaves, so he wrote that poem in recognition of Abraham Lincoln, and it was sung at his inauguration. His brother set the music to that poem, so that’s a bit of history, so when you hear it think about Abraham Lincoln.”

On Saturday, June 18, at the Kissimmee Juneteenth Festival, the festival lawn at Kissimmee Lakefront Park will host live music, craft vendors, and food trucks from 10 am to 3 pm. Visit Kissimmee.gov/Juneteenth for more information.

In observance of Juneteenth, which officially takes place on Sunday, June 19th, Osceola County Administration offices, including libraries and the Bass Road Resource Recycle Center, will not be operational on Monday, June 20th.

For residents of unincorporated Osceola County, curbside collection (garbage and recycling) will continue as scheduled. County offices and services will resume on Tuesday, June 21st.

Photo Credit: Osceola County