Freedom, Heritage, and Celebration- Juneteenth 1865: Echoes of Freedom

Welcome, welcome, welcome to "Echoes of Freedom," a special Juneteenth edition brought to you by Talk Black & Give Back! I'm your host, Jennifer Nickerson-Turner, and today, we're diving deep into the heart of Juneteenth, exploring its profound meaning of freedom, the rich heritage it celebrates, and the vibrant traditions that make it a day of true liberation. Our focus today? The foundational year of 1865 and the powerful truth it unfolds.

Juneteenth. The name itself is a blend of "June" and "nineteenth," but its significance transcends those syllables. It's the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Many of us know the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring enslaved people in Confederate states free. But here's the crucial fact ...