Friday, June 19, 2015
Today, June 19, 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a quarter of a million slaves were freed, ending slavery in the United States. To commemorate the 150th anniversary, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the following statement:
“Today is a day for reflection and remembrance. We honor those who struggled to ensure our freedoms. We have come a long way since the first Juneteenth, but we as a nation must remain vigilant as we continue to build an even brighter future for everyone.”