Juneteenth celebrations take place in Massachusetts Monday as nation observes federal holiday
BOSTON - People across the country observed Juneteenth on Monday, a year after it became a federal holiday.
President Joe Biden signed legislation last year making June 19 the nation's 12th federal holiday. June 19, 1865, was the day that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to order freedom for the enslaved Black people in the state. It was two months after the Confederacy had surrendered in the Civil War and about 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the Southern states.
The Boston Juneteenth Committee and the National Center of Afro-American Artists led a parade through Roxbury Sunday.
More observances were planned for the holiday Monday.
A crowd gathered for the first Cambridge Families of Color Coalition and Starlight parade from Central Square to City Hall.
"Today, Juneteenth, it means the history of my family. Moving forward. Freedom. Freedom is not free -- but it can be. So that's what it means to me. To be able to pass that on and live that life," said Natassa Mason, who attended.
"Today means Black excellence, Black joy, celebrating our ancestors, celebrating who we are and our heritage, and don't be afraid to speak up," another attendee said.
Melrose residents celebrated with poetry and by raising the Juneteenth flag outside the public library.
"If you really want change you have to do the work. Part of the work is bringing our children and educating them to not hate," said Michelle Robinson of Lynn.
There was also a community Juneteenth celebration on Waltham Common.
The holiday is intended to be a day of reflection and an opportunity to educate people on Black history.