KY, IN Governors Sign Proclamations Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth or June 19 is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

(Undated) – Both Kentucky and Indiana governors have signed proclamations declaring recognizing today, June 19, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

Juneteenth celebrates the events of June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Grander led Union soldier into Galveston, Texas, to bring the news that the Civil War had ended.

Major General Granger also brought the news to read General Order #3, which stated that in accordance with President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation all enslaved African-American people were free and entitled to the absolute equality of personal property and rights.

During last night's news conference, Gov. Beshear signed his proclamation, with this new proclamation, Gov. Beshear hopes it will encourage the legislature to adopt it as a state holiday in the next regular session.

“During these times when again we have heard voices and we have seen the frustration of hundreds of years of ramifications of slavery, discriminations, Jim Crow, of segregation, I think it’s more and more important that we remind everybody of this dark chapter in our history and that its impacts continue to linger,” said Gov. Beshear. “We should celebrate the dates that at least portions of that dark chapter ended.”

Indiana Governor followed suite signing his proclamation today.

Gov. Holcomb announced his proclamation on twitter saying quote "Today I issued a proclamation celebrating #Juneteenth, an opportunity to reflect, rejoice and plan for a brighter future." 

If you would like to learn more about Juneteenth you can do so here.