United States: "Juneteenth", a national holiday to commemorate the end of slavery
The United States celebrates this Saturday “Juneteenth”, the feast of June 19.
It marks the effective end of slavery in the country in 1865, two and a half years after its abolition by Abraham Lincoln.
And for the first time, this day is celebrated as a national holiday, thanks to the vote of Congress.
REUTERS - EDUARDO MUNOZ
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
The Americans celebrate this Saturday, June 19 “Juneteenth”, the feast of June 19 which marks the end of slavery in the country.
And for the first time, this day is celebrated as a national holiday thanks to the vote of Congress this week.
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With our correspondent in New York
,
Loubna Anaki
In Harlem, “Juneteenth” was already celebrated every year.
The opportunity to meet up with family, dance, eat and pay tribute to the history of blacks in the United States.
Here, we welcome the adoption of June 19 as a national holiday: “
It should have been done a long time ago
!
», Says a man from the neighborhood.
"
People are finally recognizing this event, which the black community has been celebrating for years," said
this woman in the streets of Harlem
.
And now the rest of the country knows and maybe some will finally know what this day really represents.
"
“Juneteenth” marks the effective end of slavery in 1865, two and a half years after its abolition by Abraham Lincoln.
At the time, the Civil War meant that news of the end of slavery took two and a half years to reach the southern states.
Right to vote threatened
If the atmosphere is at the party this Saturday, some believe that it takes more than symbolic gestures.
Especially at a time when the right to vote of minorities is threatened in certain republican states.
“
We must continue to fight,”
explains this New Yorker
.
We cannot stop at this small victory.
We must continue to get what we deserve and preserve our voting rights everywhere!
"
Two elected officials joined the celebrations in this Harlem park, Mayor
Bill de Blasio
and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who renewed his commitment to the fight against racism and the protection of civil rights.
#Juneteenth is a moment to celebrate freedom and recommit to true racial justice.
Join us in Harlem!
https://t.co/RuF4PZwpRG
- Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 18, 2021
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To listen: Memory and reparations of slavery, eternal challenges for Texas
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End of slavery in the United States: Juneteenth will also have "an educational dimension"