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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH, ALSO KNOWN AS EMANCIPATION DAY
WHEREAS, for over 150 years, Juneteenth, also known as "Emancipation Day," and "Freedom Day," continues to be the most recognized and the oldest African American holiday observed in the United States; and
WHEREAS, on September 22nd, 1862, amid the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that as of January 1, 1863, slaves in the Confederate states, "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;" and
WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation laid the groundwork for the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the United States and its territories; and
WHEREAS, On June 19, 1865, two and half years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No 3, with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free; and
WHEREAS, African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19th, commonly known as "Juneteenth Independence Day" as the anniversary of their emancipation; and
WHEREAS, African Americans from the Southwest continued the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day as inspiration and encouragement for future generations; and
WHEREAS, for more than 150 years, Juneteenth Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor and commemorate African American freedom throughout the country.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the Board, along with the Cook County Board of Commissioners, recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day to the Nation; supports the continued celebration of Juneteenth Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of Cook County to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped ...
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