JUNETEENTH
AMERICA’S SECOND INDEPENDENCE DAY [ B L A C K S A N D W H I T E S ] M AY H AV E G OT T E N T H E R E I N D I F F E R E N T WAY S A N D AT D I F F E R E N T T I M E S , B U T YO U C A N ’ T R E A L LY C E L E B R AT E F R E E D O M I N A M E R I C A B Y J U S T G O I N G W I T H T H E F O U R T H O F J U LY. ~ REVEREND RONALD MEYERS, FOUNDER AND FORMER CHAIRMAN, N AT I O N A L J U N E T E E N T H O B S E R VA N C E F O U N D AT I O N
WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? by Ann Marie Kennon
IN 1980, TEXAS WAS THE FIRST STATE TO DECLARE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY. ON JUNE 19, 2021 THE NATION CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, THE FIRST NEW DESIGNATION SINCE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MYRIAD CIVIC GROUPS, CHURCHES, AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY HAVE HELD THESE PUBLIC EVENTS FOR 70 YEARS.
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