EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION

As the U.S. celebrates the second federal holiday honoring Juneteenth, several myths persist about the origins and history about what happened when enslaved people were emancipated in Texas.

After Opal Lee led hundreds in a walk through her Texas hometown to celebrate Juneteenth, the 95-year-old Black woman who helped successfully push for the holiday to get national recognition said it's important that people learn the history behind it. “We need to know so people can heal from it and never let it happen again,” said Lee, whose 2 1/2-mile walk through Fort Worth symbolizes the 2 1/2 years it took for enforcement in Texas of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which ended slavery in the Southern states. A year after President Joe Biden signed legislation last year making June 19 the nation's 12th federal holiday, Americans across the country gathered this weekend at events filled with music, food and fireworks.

Here's a list of what will be open and closed on Juneteenth, including banks, post offices, schools, stores, the DMV and the stock market.

There were two movements in the early 19th century to free Black slaves in the United States, the abolitionist movement and the colonization movement.

The 102nd United States Colored Infantry Regiment returned to Camp Ward on Saturday.

(Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer VelosoScenes from the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Flint on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer VelosoScenes from the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Flint on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer VelosoScenes from the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Flint on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer VelosoScenes from the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Flint on Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com) Jenifer VelosoScenes from the Juneteenth Parade in downtown Flint on Saturday, June 18, 2022.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Bronson Park bustled with activity and excitement Saturday as Rootead hosted their first ever Juneteenth Celebration in downtown Kalamazoo. If dancing wasn’t enough, participants could pick up tasty authentic creole dishes from PJW Creole Cuisine’s food truck. Rootead Enrichment Center’s Red Birth Green Director Élan Bridges helped run Rootead’s booth, and expressed gratitude that the event had finally come to fruition. This is the second year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing it in 2021. Also on MLive:Residential fireworks allowed for Juneteenth for the first time in KalamazooSaginaw’s first Miss Juneteenth crowned to represent communityParade, festivals, pop-up shops planned for Juneteenth celebrations in Grand Rapids area

Talking about money, wealth and financial freedom on Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S., is a must, say Black influencers.

One year ago, President Joe Biden signed the law establishing June 19 as a U.S. holiday.

One year ago, President Joe Biden signed the law establishing June 19 as a U.S. holiday.

This coming Sunday, the nation stops to commemorate Juneteenth.

“This is the flag we’re going to (raise) on this historic day,” Commissioner Justin Hodge said. Juneteenth became an official holiday in Texas on January 1, 1980, but its history stretches back much farther than that. “You have to do something to restore your spirit.”Fields encourages people to do what brings them joy this weekend -- and also to pick up a book by an African American author. “Not only are we going to celebrate the freedom of African American slaves,” Fields said. African Americans are an integral part of the United States.”Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit was also at the event.

Celebrations will be taking place all across the country and throughout the state of Michigan for Juneteenth on Sunday, June 19. This is the second year Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed legislation establishing it in 2021. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced emancipation to Texas slaves. Now the day is celebrated in a variety of ways with marches, flag raisings, parades and other events. Below are links to Juneteenth events planned in communities throughout Michigan:ANN ARBOR:Washtenaw County to celebrate Juneteenth with festivals, flag raisingsFLINT:Eight-day Juneteenth celebration in Flint begins SaturdayGRAND RAPIDS:Parade, festivals, pop-up shops planned for Juneteenth celebrations in Grand Rapids areaJACKSON:Here’s where to celebrate Juneteenth in JacksonKALAMAZOO:A weekend of celebrations in the name of emancipation planned for Juneteenth in KalamazooMUSKEGON:Muskegon County celebrating Juneteenth with fireworks, music, educational eventsSAGINAW:Saginaw’s first Miss Juneteenth Pageant to kick off holiday weekend full of eventsBAY CITY:Celebrate freedom and good health: Juneteenth health fair planned in Bay City

Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of emancipation of enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865.This happened more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

FLINT, MI -- More than a week’s worth of events will lead up to a major Juneteenth celebration at Max Brandon Park and Riverbank Park in downtown Flint next weekend. Starting this Saturday, June 11, with the pre-launch event, organizer DeWaun Robinson said the organizing committee is getting back to pre-COVID-19 traditions with multiple events this Juneteenth. “It’s going to be a fun-filled week of events and I am just excited,” Robinson told MLive-The Flint Journal. Flint’s celebration will be capped with a Champions Parade through downtown on Saginaw Street, a Juneteenth Concert from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Riverbank Park and a fireworks show. Mama Sol, Flint spoken word and recording artist, will perform at the concert.

Juneteenth events are happening across the country, honoring the 156th anniversary of what is often considered the end of slavery in the United States.

The contrast between former President Donald Trump's final Juneteenth in the White House and the lead-up to President Joe Biden's first is stark.

LANSING, MI — Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, has introduced legislation to change the language within Public Act 48 of 2005, which commemorates June 19, or Juneteenth, as National Freedom Day in Michigan. Santana said the bill would “correct details” of the law in order to give an accurate history of Juneteenth, which recognizes the effective end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S., is often attributed to the ratification of the 13th Amendment. Senate Democrats want to change the language within the Michigan law to accurately reflect that. ”This bill is simply designed to correct the misinformation discovered in existing law,” Santana said.

General Gordon Granger, known for issuing the order now commemorated by Juneteenth, has ties to Kentucky.

It wasn’t the Emancipation Proclamation, but rather “General Order No. 3”

MCCC hosted a virtual panel discussion on Juneteenth.

It's scheduled to take place at 16065 Hamilton Ave. in Highland Park on Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

President Joe Biden will sign legislation into law on Thursday that officially makes Juneteenth a federal holiday -- the first new national holiday since 1983.

The bill to make Juneteenth the 12th federal holiday sailed through Congress, paving the way for President Joe Biden to sign it into law.

The Senate has passed a bill that would make Juneteenth, or June 19th, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.

Juneteenth is an annual celebration held on June 19 to commemorate the end of chattel slavery in America.

The Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department has also partnered with numerous community leaders to host a series of virtual panel discussions through August as part of “Freedom Summer.” The series, Changing the Narrative, will address issues of equity, wealth and equality.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved people in Texas, the last Confederate state forced to do so.

A Heritage Festival is scheduled for next Saturday, Juneteenth, from noon to 9 p.m.

Recognizing the historic arrival of freedom in Texas would help all Americans’ spiritual wounds, a Fort Worth pastor writes.

It's scheduled to take place at 16065 Hamilton Ave. in Highland Park on Saturday, June 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A rare signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation will be displayed this month at The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield in honor of Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery in America.

Thousands of enslaved people in Texas were ordered free two years after Emancipation Proclamation

YPSILANTI, MI -- Ypsilanti has made Juneteenth an official city holiday. The Ypsilanti City Council approved a resolution recently to recognize the holiday each year on June 19. City officials pointed out that Ypsilanti has a record of fighting bigotry, slavery and racism. The city sent soldiers, Black and white, to fight and die for the Union in the Civil War to free the slaves. Ypsilanti City Mayor Lois Richardson proposed the resolution after virtually attending the National League of Cities and learning that other cities were creating a Juneteenth holiday, she said.

(AP Photo/John Locher)LOUISVILLE, Ky. The outcry has reverberated for weeks online and at demonstrations nationwide: Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor. Calls for action against the officers have gotten louder during a national reckoning over racism and police brutality following George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. That has left people, from protesters to celebrities, wondering why justice is slow to come in Taylor's case. It's definitely taking too long, it's definitely frustrating, said Kirstia Drury, 32, who joined street protests in Louisville after Taylor's death. He's executive director of advocacy group Christopher 2X Game Changers and has often served as a conduit between the Black community and Louisville officials during conflicts.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)MINNEAPOLIS A special session of the Minnesota Legislature ended Saturday without agreement on remaking policing in the state where George Floyd was killed. I'm deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans ended the special session before our job was done," Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent tweeted. Were not walking away from Minnesota here, but I think we could all benefit from a breather, Gazelka said just before adjournment, Minnesota Public Radio News reported. The special session was necessary for Democratic Gov. If Walz seeks to extend his emergency powers an additional 30 days, he's required to call another special session for July 12 to let lawmakers object.

Protesters march in a Black Lives Matter demonstration organized by the Dallas Black Firefighters Association on Juneteenth 2020 in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Former President Abraham Lincoln first issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, and it became effective the following Jan. 1. Word didnt reach the last enslaved black people until June 19 of that year, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to Galveston, Texas. Kristi Noem proclaimed Friday as Juneteenth Day, but the proclamation does not make the day a state-recognized holiday.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation Wednesday declaring June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day" for the state. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865. Im proud to declare June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Celebration Day, and will continue to work tirelessly to create a state that is equal for all.The governor signed a similar proclamation last year to recognize Juneteenth Celebration Day. According to the proclamation, Michigan has recognized Juneteenth as a holiday for the last 16 years. Juneteenth -- also known as Jubilee Day or Freedom Day -- is a traditional holiday for many Americans, but is receiving more attention this year as the nation decries racism following the recent killings of multiple Black Americans.

Many Black Americans also celebrate a day of freedom called Juneteenth on June 19, which commemorates the day the last African American slaves were notified of their freedom in 1865. Much like the Fourth of July, Juneteenth -- also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day -- is celebrated around the country with parades, cookouts and community gatherings. Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm named Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2005, declaring the third Sunday of June as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. This year, amid national unrest over the recent killings of Black Americans, Detroit is holding a weeklong celebration to commemorate Juneteenth. The city of Detroit began holding virtual discussions on Monday related to Black Americans culture and history on their Facebook Live.

DETROIT The city of Detroit is holding a weeklong celebration for Juneteenth. Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 when United States soldiers announced the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved African Americans in Texas. The official anniversary date is June 19. Starting Monday, June 15, the city of Detroit will hold a livestream discussion about civil rights, inclusion and opportunity. The event is set to start at 6 p.m. on Facebook.

Nike is joining a list of companies moving to make June 19 -- “Juneteenth” -- a holiday. The move is part of the company’s effort to recognize a nationwide move against injustice for Black Americans. Juneteenth honors the day in 1865 when United States soldiers announced the news of the Emancipation Proclamation to enslaved African Americans in Texas. Nike’s announcements included plans to diversify the company by increasing the number of Black, Latino and female employees. Related: Trump rally on Juneteenth in Tulsa called ‘slap in the face’

Up until the 1863 proclamation, individual states had celebrated days of giving thanks. According to Lincolns administrative aide John Nicolay, Secretary of State William H. Seward signed the document. Unity was an overarching Lincoln theme throughout the Civil War, employed with shrewd calculation and brilliant political timing. Critics have argued Lincoln should have included states in the Union, but that would have been illegal and unwise. Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage College and author of After the Cold War. Contact him at acyr@carthage.edu.