City Council Proclaims June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day

At the June 15 City Council Meeting, the Council proclaimed Saturday, June 19, 2021, “Juneteenth Freedom Day” in the City of Dripping Springs. Juneteenth is a holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the US. The holiday was first celebrated in Texas, where on that date in 1865, in the aftermath of the Civil War, slaves were declared free under the terms of the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1979, the Juneteenth Emancipation Day was declared an official state holiday in Texas by Governor William P. Clements.

Council Member Wade King read the proclamation. On hand to accept the proclamation was Elizabeth Alaniz from the organization, “Dripping Springs Community Empowering Positive Change.” Also on hand to commemorate the proclamation was local artist Mikiko Kudo.

Juneteenth offers a time for reflection, rejoicing, and healing. The proclamation invites everyone to honor this significant date - the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in our nation - in recognition of a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.

See proclamation below: