Leah Ferguson of the Winnebago County Department of Human Services reads the Emancipation Proclamation during a Juneteenth ceremony outside the county courthouse in Oshkosh June 19, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK/AP) — Winnebago County recognized Juneteenth in a ceremony Wednesday outside the county courthouse.
The ceremony included readings of the Emancipation Proclamation and Galveston General Orders No. 3, which informed Galveston, Texas of the end of slavery on June 19, 1865.
For more than one and a half centuries, the Juneteenth holiday has been sacred to many Black communities. Since it was designated a federal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has become more universally recognized beyond Black America. Many people get the day off work or school, and there are a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts and other events.
“Juneteenth is not only a celebration of freedom but also a reminder that we must continue to fight for equality and justice for all,” county executive Jon Doemel said in a news release. “I am proud that Winnebago County is recognizing this important holiday and I encourage everyone to join us in honoring this day.”
A similar ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the county human services building, 211 N. Commercial St., in Neenah.
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