People in Huntsville are celebrating the abolition of slavery in the U.S.
Hundreds came out to Big Spring Park to participate in the Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth is to remember June 19, 1865, when slaves in Texas discovered they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
Today, those who came out got to enjoy gospel music and a hot meal. Like St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church did in the 1800s, four people were baptized today in the spring at the park.
Completing the Story Board Member, William Hampton, said, “To see these people out here, a mix of male, female, young, old, black, and white, who’ve come out here together. Unity is our theme, so it is exciting to see the community embrace this.”
You can learn more about Huntsville’s black history tomorrow at the unveiling of a historical marker at 2:00 PM on the corner of Holmes Avenue and Church Street.
Learn more about Huntsville’s history here.
