History

Watch this video for the Iowa and national history of Juneteenth.

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On April 11, 2002, Legislation was signed into law by former Governor Tom Vilsack, currently the United States Secretary of Agriculture, establishing Juneteenth as an official day of recognition in Iowa to be annually observed on the third Saturday in June.







February 26, 2015  The Iowa House of  Representatives adopted House Resolution 11(HR11) that included the following language: "BE IT  RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives  acknowledges the 25th Anniversary of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance and recognizes the significant role of the Iowa Juneteenth Observance in  serving as cultural and historical asset to Iowa's citizens."
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March 23, 2015 The State Historical Society (Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs) received deeded artifacts from the Iowa Juneteenth Observance for  inclusion in the permanent records of the museum collection. The artifacts help make up the Juneteenth in Iowa museum  exhibit prepared by the State Historical Museum of Iowa.
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​June 19, 2015,  Iowa Public Television aired a program, "2015 Juneteenth  Jamboree",  that was  produced by PBS station KRLU TV out of Austin, Texas and included  information on the Iowa Juneteenth Observance.  

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Past Iowa Juneteenth General Chairpersons

1990-2012 & 2015:    Gary L. Lawson
(IJO Founder)
*General Chair Emeritus

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2013-2014:
​Chris Johnson

2015-Present:   
​Dwana Bradley

Past Iowa Juneteenth King and Queens:
1993-1994 - Paul & Dorris Wilson              1994-1996 - R.A. & Mable Jackson
1996-1997 - Harry & Dorthy Taylor             1997-1998 - Orsel & Nellie Morrow
1998-1999 - William & Venita Wells                1999-2000 - Robert & Hessie Jenkins
2000-2001 - Peter & Frances Hawthorne                2001-2002 - Edward & Barbara Robinson
2002-2003 - Thomas & Oreatha Shears          2003-2004 - Willie & Janie Zanders
2004-2005 - Frank & Bertie Hogan                  2005-2006 - William & Edith Sharp
2006-2007 - Robert & Geraldine Daniels        2007-2008 - Robert & Rebecca King
2008-2009 - Robert & Bernice Wright           2009-2010 - Johnny & Barbara Long
2010-2011 - Rev. Alex & Vera Crawford             2012-2013 - Rev. George & Marji Shade
2014-2015 - Walt & Donna Henderson                 2016-2017 - Elder Jerald & Phyllis Woods
​2018-2020 - Art & Marci Rabon                          2021-2023 - Marion & Sandra Eppright

Picture of some of our Juneteenth Kings & Queens (taken in the late 90's).