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3 <br /> 1 community event where people gathered for prayer, food, song, and dance. Since then, Texas <br /> 2 families have emigrated to other parts of the United States, and Juneteenth's historic and cultural <br /> 3 traditions have followed them. In 2007, North Carolina enacted legislation that enables Juneteenth <br /> 4 National Freedom Day to become a state holiday when it or a substantially similar holiday is <br /> 5 nationally recognized. In 2020, Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and <br /> 6 Hillsborough recognized Juneteenth as a holiday. Today, Juneteenth is a federal holiday <br /> 7 recognized in all 50 states. <br /> 8 <br /> 9 Juneteenth, while a time of celebration, is also a time of reflection. Ira Berlin, in his book, "The <br /> 10 Long Emancipation: The Demise of Slavery in the United States," finds the ending of slavery did <br /> 11 not just happen throughout the Civil War but was "a near century process." Emancipation was not <br /> 12 a gift bestowed upon Black Americans by Lincoln or the Republican Party; it was something Black <br /> 13 Americans fought for from the time they came to this country, enslaved more than 400 years ago <br /> 14 until today. In fighting for their freedom, Black Americans have shaped what it means to be a <br /> 15 citizen in this "imperfect" country we call home. Through judicial decisions and legislation, Black <br /> 16 Americans have redefined the words "[We] the people." <br /> 17 <br /> 18 There will be multiple community celebrations of Juneteenth by the towns, school systems, and <br /> 19 community organizations. Juneteenth will be celebrated through community and cultural events <br /> 20 throughout Orange County, including art performances, history exhibits, music, and activities. <br /> 21 Orange County staff recommends the community attend these events to learn more about <br /> 22 Juneteenth and the contributions of Black Americans to the community. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 The attached proclamation regarding Juneteenth echoes many of the declarations and sentiments <br /> 25 expressed by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Elected Officials group in their statement <br /> 26 commemorating Juneteenth. It thereby affirms the Board's support for this nationwide holiday. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 Courtney McLaughlin, Interim Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, read the <br /> 29 following proclamation: <br /> 30 <br /> 31 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 32 <br /> 33 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH 2024 <br /> 34 <br /> 35 WHEREAS, Juneteenth, observed on June 19, is a day of historical significance, commemorating <br /> 36 the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865, following the issuance of the <br /> 37 Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863; and <br /> 38 <br /> 39 WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation marked a critical milestone in the fight for freedom, <br /> 40 declaring the end of slavery in Confederate-controlled areas and laying the groundwork for the <br /> 41 eventual abolition of slavery nationwide with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the <br /> 42 United States Constitution; and <br /> 43 <br /> 44 WHEREAS, despite the formal abolition of slavery, the journey to complete emancipation has <br /> 45 been fraught with challenges due to those who wished to continue the practice of holding human <br /> 46 beings as property; and <br /> 47 <br /> 48 WHEREAS, although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it was not <br /> 49 until June 19, 1865 — Juneteenth — when U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, <br /> 50 Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing the end to the war and the captivity of those <br /> 51 who had been enslaved, that the news reached all enslaved African Americans; and <br />