A
Brief History of...
JUNETEENTH...
Celebrate Freedom!
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This official Texas
holiday, pays tribute to the announcement of the abolition of slavery in
Texas by Union General Gordon Granger in Galveston, TX in mid-June of 1865
--nearly 3 years after Abraham Lincoln had declared all slaves
be freed.
THE
PARK... In 1872, Freeman's town residents Jack Yates, Elias Dibble,
Richard Allen & Richard Brock purchased 10 acres of land at Dowling
& Elgin and dedicated "Emancipation Park"--the first public
park in the state of Texas-- as a place to celebrate Juneteenth.
THE
PARADE... Nearly 100 years later, in 1973, Reverend C.
Anderson Davis, founder of The National Emancipation Association, initiated
Houston's Juneteenth Parade--initially going down Dowling Street to
Emancipation Park. This year celebrates the 39th year of
Juneteenth Parades.
THE
HOLIDAY... In 1979, State Representative Al Edwards
sponsored the bill that made June 19th a Texas State holiday beginning in
1980. The holiday is now celebrated in over 36 countries!
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THE
PARADE...
In 1973, Rev.
C. Anderson Davis initiated the Juneteenth Parade marching north up
Dowling Street to a festival in Emancipation Park. The parade route celebrates the legacy of Third
Ward and Freedmen's Town as part of Houston's Black Historic Districts.
THE
RENEWAL... in
2014, work began on a much anticipated renovation of this park-- with
renovations totaling 33 million dollars. This is a bold investment by
our city and "friends" in honor of all who would celebrate
freedom in America and the world.
Fall 2016: Grand Opening of the
"NEW" Emancipation Park
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