ResEd Celebrates Juneteenth
Last Friday (June 18), as the nation prepared to welcome its newest federal holiday, Residence Education and Housing Services and Dining Services celebrated Juneteenth with more than 30 Michigan Tech students and staff on the Douglass Houghton Hall (DHH) patio.
Adorned with Juneteenth banners and decorations, the DHH patio became a place of education and discussions regarding the Juneteenth holiday, its importance in American history and the reason why Residence Education plans to make an annual celebration one of its legacy programs.
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration commemorating the end of slavery in America. Its origins are directly related to the arrival of Union soldiers in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The soldiers informed enslaved people and the state’s residents that slavery had been abolished.
This news was delivered more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom for more than 3 million enslaved people living in Confederate states.
The June 19, 2021, Juneteenth Celebration Day proclamation issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated, “The tradition of celebrating Juneteenth has remained strong, well into the 21st century, to recognize the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery and to honor the strength, endurance and faith of African American ancestors.”
“We encourage all citizens in the State of Michigan to participate in the Juneteenth Freedom Festival and celebrate African American history and culture, while continuing to promote diversity, equality and a strong sense of community in our state,” continued the proclamation. “It is imperative that we continue to work towards a more equitable and just Michigan and ensure the joys of liberty and justice for every resident.”