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3 <br /> community event where people gathered for prayer, food, song, and dance. Since then, Texas <br /> families have emigrated to other parts of the United States, and Juneteenth's historic and cultural <br /> traditions have followed them. In 2007, North Carolina enacted legislation that enables Juneteenth <br /> National Freedom Day to become a state holiday when it or a substantially similar holiday is <br /> nationally recognized. In 2020, Orange County and the Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and <br /> Hillsborough recognized Juneteenth as a holiday. Today, Juneteenth is a federal holiday <br /> recognized in all 50 states. <br /> Juneteenth, while a time of celebration, is also a time of reflection. Ira Berlin, in his book, "The <br /> Long Emancipation: The Demise of Slavery in the United States," finds the ending of slavery did <br /> not just happen throughout the Civil War but was "a near century process." Emancipation was not <br /> a gift bestowed upon Black Americans by Lincoln or the Republican Party; it was something Black <br /> Americans fought for from the time they came to this country, enslaved more than 400 years ago <br /> until today. In fighting for their freedom, Black Americans have shaped what it means to be a <br /> citizen in this "imperfect" country we call home. Through judicial decisions and legislation, Black <br /> Americans have redefined the words "[We] the people." <br /> There will be multiple community celebrations of Juneteenth by the towns, school systems, and <br /> community organizations. Juneteenth will be celebrated through community and cultural events <br /> throughout Orange County, including art performances, history exhibits, music, and activities. <br /> Orange County staff recommends the community attend these events to learn more about <br /> Juneteenth and the contributions of Black Americans to the community. <br /> The attached proclamation regarding Juneteenth echoes many of the declarations and sentiments <br /> expressed by the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Elected Officials group in their statement <br /> commemorating Juneteenth. It thereby affirms the Board's support for this nationwide holiday. <br /> Courtney McLaughlin, Interim Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, read the <br /> following proclamation: <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH 2O24 <br /> WHEREAS, Juneteenth, observed on June 19, is a day of historical significance, commemorating <br /> the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas in 1865, following the issuance of the <br /> Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation marked a critical milestone in the fight for freedom, <br /> declaring the end of slavery in Confederate-controlled areas and laying the groundwork for the <br /> eventual abolition of slavery nationwide with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the <br /> United States Constitution; and <br /> WHEREAS, despite the formal abolition of slavery, the journey to complete emancipation has <br /> been fraught with challenges due to those who wished to continue the practice of holding human <br /> beings as property; and <br /> WHEREAS, although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it was not <br /> until June 19, 1865 — Juneteenth — when U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, <br /> Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing the end to the war and the captivity of those <br /> who had been enslaved, that the news reached all enslaved African Americans; and <br />