Mayor Kahn presented a proclamation at Central Square to declare June 19th, 2025, Juneteenth in Keene, and encouraged all residents to use this day as an opportunity to acknowledge our history, celebrate the richness of our diverse community, and commit to the ongoing work of fostering equity and understanding in our city. Juneteenth commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were informed by General Gordon Granger of the Union Army that they were “free,” in accordance with the abolition of slavery as set forth by the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863. On December 6, 1865, the required twenty-seven out of the total thirty-three states ratified the 13th Amendment. Twelve days later, the new 13th Amendment was officially certified and accepted into the Constitution. Eighty-nine years after the United States declared independence, chattel slavery was banned and declared illegal in the United States and in its territories. Opal Lee, at age 89 in 2016, walked from her home in Fort Worth, TX to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and advocate for Juneteenth to be recognized as a national holiday. The State of New Hampshire established on June 19th, 2019 RSA 4:13-aa Juneteenth Proclamation that “the governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling for proper observance of June 19th as “Juneteenth” and shall call on the citizens of New Hampshire to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activates commemorating the abolition of slavery. On June 17, 2021, the “Juneteenth National Independence Day Act” was signed into law, establishing Juneteenth as our newest federal holiday. This historic recognition marks the first new federal holiday in the 21st century, underscoring our nation’s enduring commitment to freedom and justice for all. Juneteenth serves as reminder of barriers overcome by African Americans and is also a day to reflect on the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Observing Juneteenth in Keene provides an essential opportunity to educate ourselves and future generations on the journey toward freedom and justice, reinforcing our community’s commitment to these enduring values.
