Celebrate Juneteenth!

On this day in 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, troops arrived in Texas to spread the news that the war had ended and that the slaves were free. , Juneteenth began as the celebration of this day, and is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Today Juneteenth celebrates African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.

And this year, we have even more to celebrate, as last week Vermont officially adopted Juneteenth as a holiday, thanks to the work of tireless advocates. Check out the Burlington Free Press article for more information.

Interested in learning more about Juneteenth and where you can get your own strawberry soda pop? Check out the Juneteenth website and the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign site.