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2009 Theme:
Iowa Families: Guardians of Freedom, Liberty & Citizenship
Welcome to the Iowa Juneteenth Website!
How important is the African American story of freedom in the overall history of the United States? How important is symbolism in history? How important is Juneteenth to the overall history of the United States? If you have difficulty in answering these questions, then take note of the following facts about our United States and Iowa history!
Independence Day
July 2, 1776: The actual date that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a Resolution of Independence separating the American colonies from Great Britain. This was the date intended for future celebrations of American independence!
July 4, 1776: The actual date that the Second Continental Congress “declared freedom” from Great Britain by issuing the Declaration of Independence, which is a document explaining the decision to approve the Resolution of Independence that was passed on July 2, 1776.
July 4, 1777: Celebrations of “July 4th” took place in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
1781: The Massachusetts legislature was the first to recognize “July 4th”
1791: The first known use of the term Independence Day was recorded.
1870: The United States Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees.
1931: The United States Congress made Independence Day a paid holiday for federal employees.
Juneteenth National Freedom Day
January 1, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring the freedom of all slaves in states at war with the Union.
June 19, 1865: General Gordon Granger led Union troops into Galveston, Texas, the last stronghold of slavery, reading General Order Number 3, declaring the absolute end to slavery.
June 19, 1865: The first celebration of “June 19th´by former slaves in Galveston, Texas.
1980: Texas made June 19th, or Juneteenth, an official state-paid holiday.
2008: There are currently 29 states (and the District of Columbia) where Juneteenth is an official holiday observance.
Iowa Juneteenth Observance
1990: The first “Iowa Juneteenth Observance” was held in Des Moines.
1995: The Iowa General Assembly passed the first concurrent resolution in the House recognizing Juneteenth in Iowa.
1996: The Iowa General Assembly passed a concurrent resolution in the House and Senate recognizing Juneteenth in Iowa.
2001: The Connect Foundation first lobbied the General Assembly for an official state observance of Juneteenth in Iowa.
2002: The Connect Foundation made a second attempt at getting the General Assembly to establish an official state observance of Juneteenth in Iowa.
April 11, 2002: Governor Tom Vilsack signed legislation making Juneteenth an official annual observance in Iowa on every third Saturday in June.
Summary
1776-1865: It was a period of 89 years from the time American independence was declared until the last stronghold of slavery was put down, thereby “closing the gap” on freedom for all Americans. Juneteenth is the symbolic celebration of “closing the gap” on freedom for all Americans.
1865-2009: The observance of the end to slavery and the celebration of freedom for all Americans is 144 years old.
1990-2009: The Iowa Juneteenth Observance is in our 19th year.
2002-2009: The state law, annually making the third Saturday of June an official observance in Iowa, is in its 7th year!
Nationally, there are 29 states (and the District of Columbia) that have made Juneteenth an official holiday or observance. There is a national campaign to make Juneteenth official in all 50 states.
Juneteenth is authentic American history and the Iowa Juneteenth Observance is authentic Iowa history! Appreciate your history and participate in Juneteenth activities across Iowa!
Gary Lawson, Founder and General Chair
Iowa Juneteenth Observance