About two months after the Civil War ended, slaves in America learned of their emancipation.
It was June 19, 1865, 158 years ago.
In 2021, President Joe Biden declared Juneteenth, as it’s known now, a federal holiday. In the recent legislative session, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 140 into law, recognizing June 19th as a state holiday.
“When you make something a recognized holiday, it does force people to recognize what the holiday is, what its importance was, and why they should celebrate it,” said Tyler D. Parry, an Assistant Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at UNLV. Parry said the recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday is an important step in the movement for equality of Black Americans.
“Juneteenth had a lot of significance for African Americans because it was a particular holiday for them,” said Parry. “With this particular recognition, [we are] going to pay much more attention to the persistent inequality that we are seeing and what that legacy means for going forward.”
In 2011, Juneteenth was first recognized as a day of observance in Nevada. AB140 was introduced in the Nevada Legislature to declare June 19 a designated holiday for state workers to receive the day off. Councilman Cedric Crear, who represents Ward 5 in Las Vegas, said this legislation is important for people to be able to celebrate the history of Juneteenth.
“Now, this is a state holiday,” said Crear. “It is recognized throughout the state, and I think that people need to take time off to recognize the history of what took place.”
Even before the official designation as a holiday, Juneteenth has been celebrated in Southern Nevada for over forty years. Several events are taking place this weekend in the Las Vegas Valley.
Juneteenth celebrations in Clark County:
June 16 – 19
The City of Henderson Juneteenth Festival
June 17
Juneteenth-Jazz Concert and Miss. Juneteenth Ceremony
The Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival
Juneteenth – A Brunch Jamboree
June 18
Jubilee Family Celebration
June 19
F.A.I.T.H Juneteenth Freedom Festival 2023
Guests: Cedric Crear, councilman, City of Las Vegas Ward 5; Tyler D. Parry, assistant professor of African American and African diaspora studies, UNLV; Juanita Kariuki, recreation services supervisor, City of Henderson
