Latest Long Weekend News / Blogs

Crafting Unforgettable Juneteenth Memories: Breaking Chains, and Spreading Cheers

Crafting Unforgettable Juneteenth Memories: Breaking Chains, and Spreading Cheers

Honoring freedom through story, celebration, and community

Published

Juneteenth is the most famous celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, and some folks see it as America's second Independence Day. However, the history of the Juneteenth celebration is quite intricate and sometimes not fully understood.   Origin and Name of Juneteenth The eve of freedom, or Freedom's Eve, as it came to be known, was December 31st, 1862. This was when the first Watch Night gatherings took place. During this picture-perfect night, African Americans who were enslaved and also those free assembled themselves at prayer houses; both larg...