Are You Ready For Juneteenth?

By Author: Susan Dunn
Total Articles: 25
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General Order No. 3: Delivered by General Gordon Granger and the Union Army, Galveston, Texas, June 19, 1865. "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free." Ready to celebrate? Q: What's the only state to have declared Juneteenth a state holiday?
A: The Great State of Texas. 1. Get the supplies you need - here - http://www.juneteenth.com/juneteenthstore.htm and here - http://www.19thofjune.com/shopping/index.html . Party supplies, t-shirts, hats, buttons, stickers, posters, and more! 2. Learn the History. "Every morning, perhaps, more instances than one are found of the living and the dead fastened together," wrote John Newton, a Slave Ship Captain. Did you know that after several voyages, Newton quit the slave trade, became a minister, and wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace," with its autobiographical line "...that saved a wretch like me."' 3. Check out what's happening worldwide ...
... here www.juneteenth.com/worldwide.htm . And add your own list the celebration here: http://www.juneteenth.com/submit.htm . 4. A big day for my hometown, San Antonio, Texas. Y'all come! On May 31, a traveling exhibition of documents dating from 1683 to 1969 is set to open at San Antonio's Witte Museum that's expected to attracts tens of thousands of visitors. The highlight of "American Originals: Treasures from the National Archives," will be the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. "Because it's fragile," says the press release, "the original proclamation will be on display only for a total of 48 hours over four days beginning June 19, or Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day in 1865 when word reached slaves in Texas that they were free." [Source:www.juneteenth.com/worldwide.htm] . 5. Texas leads the nation in proclaiming Juneteenth an official state holiday. On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. Juneteenth is the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition. 6. Sign the petition to make Juneteenth a National Holiday. Go here: http://www.19thofjune.com/petition.html . 7. Take a family trip to Tyler, Texas (or get some ideas). These folks know how to celebrate. "Please come and be a part of the celebration!" they add - a bit of Texas hospitality. The Juneteenth Association of Tyler sponsors the celebration which includes: Teen Dance on Friday, June 20, 2003; Annual Juneteenth parade starting at 10 am on Saturday, with floats, car clubs, motorcycles, drill teams, and grand marshal; Celebration in the Park-FREE food, drinks, and entertainment and activities for the kids, praise dancers, and gospel and R&B singers; Annual Juneteenth Ball for the adults. Closing on Sunday with a Gospel Extravaganza with more FREE food and entertainment. 8. Read, listen and learn. FOR THE FAMILY:
1. Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth Story, by Sharon Wilson (Illustrator), Valerie Wilson Wesley. 2. Juneteenth Jamboree, by Carole Weatherford.
3. Juneteenth Freedom Day, by Muriel Branch. FOR YOU: Did you know Ralph Ellison (author of "Invisible Man")died leaving the manuscript for a novel called "Juneteenth, available as uncorrected proof on amazon.com. MUSIC: Check out William Ropert's CD "June Teenth" - available here. It has great cover art! 9. Watch a video. "A Time to Be Remembered: A Juneteenth Story" is a 57-minute VHS videotape, with Teacher's Guide, Student's Time Line, and Activity Ideas. Go here to order it. 10. Put up the flag! Beautiful Juneteenth flag, 3' by 5', $55. Order here. About the Author Susan Dunn, The EQ Coach, GLOBAL EQ. Emotional intelligence coaching to enhance all areas of your life - career, relationships, midlife transition, resilience, self-esteem, parenting. EQ Alive! - excellent, accelerated, affordable EQ coach certification. Susan is the author of numerous ebooks, is widely published on the Internet, and a regular speaker for cruise lines. For marketing services go here.