Dress for Success Worldwide’s Post

Today is #Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom. Observed for several decades, largely by the Black American community, this day was formally recognized as a federal holiday in 2021. On June 19, 1865, the Union army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in Texas were free by executive decree, a day that came to be known as "Juneteenth", “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.” Across the state, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land to hold their celebrations. The first one took place in Austin in 1867 and drew thousands of attendees. With the principles of self-determination, citizenship, and democracy magnifying their hopes and dreams, those Texans held fast to the promise of true liberty for all. (Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture.) Pictured Above: Emancipation Day celebration, June 19, 1900, held in "East Woods" on East 24th Street in Austin. Photo Credit: Austin History Center. Swipe to learn more about the historical legacy of this holiday. 

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