Historical spotlight

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, declaring that all slaves in states in rebellion against the Union would be forever free as of Jan. 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation freed 3.1 million slaves in 11 Confederate states but didn’t apply to border slave states like Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri.

The June 19 announcement about the end of slavery came later in 1865. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day and Liberation Day.

LLCC hosting Juneteenth celebration

LLCC is celebrating Juneteenth on June 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with various events in A. Lincoln Commons on the LLCC-Springfield campus. This year’s observance is themed “Know Your History” and aims to increase knowledge about Juneteenth 1865.

The event is open to the public and will feature a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Juneteenth display, free haircuts provided by the University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts, music provided by D.J. Yinka and food from Gertrude’s Taste of Heaven by Lisa Johnson.

The college is also hosting a book read of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed. Roundtable discussions will be held via Zoom on June 15, 22 and 29 at 1 p.m.

Leading up to the Juneteenth celebration, look for more historical spotlights in LincIn as well as on the Lincoln Landing app and on LLCC’s Facebook page.