The Story of Juneteenth Oregon & FAQ About Juneteenth
What is the significance of Juneteenth?
On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation effectively ending slavery on January 1, 1863, however, the Proclamation had little effect in the State of Texas until two and half years later. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union General Gordon Granger read General Orders No. 3 to the people of Galveston, Texas:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaved are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.”
In 2021 Juneteenth was made a Federal Holiday. A bill was also signed in Oregon for Juneteenth to become a State Holiday the following year in 2022.
Come alive with the community for the Clara Peoples Freedom Parade. Together, we'll march down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in celebration of Juneteenth.
Our Miss Juneteenth Oregon is an educational ambassador program designed to pour wisdom, leadership and self-empowerment into young girls in our community.
The winners of the Little, Teen and Miss pageant will receive a scholarship of $250-$1000, depending upon age category. Pageant winners are required to represent Juneteenth Oregon in the Juneteenth Oregon Parade and the National pageant.
By Catalina Gaitán | The Oregonian/OregonLive.com and Zaeem Shaikh | The Oregonian/OregonLive Sounds of bagpipes, revving three-wheelers, soul and funk music…