Celebrating Juneteenth
June 15, 2023Happy Juneteenth!
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. This important holiday was not in the main stream for several years, but thanks to the tireless work of advocates, it is now rightfully recognized throughout the country.
During the 2022 legislative session, several of my colleagues spoke passionately on the House floor about why Connecticut needed to make Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The bill received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Lamont, and this is the first year it will be officially observed as a state holiday.
The practice of slavery did not end when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 or when the Union won the Civil War in 1865. In fact, some communities were not informed of their freedom for another two months following the war. Then on June 19, 1865, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas and delivered the news. Those enslaved individuals were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.
Although Juneteenth is a celebration, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and how it impacts us to this day. As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that promotes equity and inclusivity.
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