CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago and the nation celebrated Juneteenth on Wednesday – a day that commemorates the end of slavery and continues to be celebrated and recognized 159 years later.
The origin of Juneteenth date back to June 19, 1865, when the last group of people enslaved in the U.S. South were informed of their freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation. That day, thousands of Union soldiers reached Galveston Bay, along the northeastern coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico, and announced that all enslaved people in the state had been freed by order of the state.
June’s National Independence Day became a legal holiday in 2021 and was passed almost unanimously by both houses of Congress before being signed by President Joe Biden.
Around Chicago Wednesday, Juneteenth was a family affair with food, fun and games, as well as history lessons for all generations.
“I’m enjoying it,” Caroline Furdge said. “It’s all love because we gotta come together and love ourselves, you know?”
Furdge celebrated freedom at the Dan Ryan Woods – where Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore (D-4th) welcomed hundreds, and he did Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“Juneteenth is really important for everyone: to learn about it and just enjoy it,” Furdge said.
Furdge was really having a good time when the house music came on.
To the north, in Washington Park, the celebration of freedom continued on the grounds where Black History is already celebrated – as this is the site of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.
“Juneteenth at the DuSable Museum, all the history and the culture – it’s a wonderful thing,” said Myke Scott, chef at the South Side I-94 Ribs.
“and that the only thing we have to return to is our own culture.”
Scott made sure bellies were full in Washington Park on Wednesday evening. He also told everyone what Juneteenth means to him.
“Juneteenth is a celebration of the moment we gained our freedom, away from the emancipation of the things that held us all back in our lives,” he said. “It is an excellent time for blacks to come together, and all to be part of a wonderful celebration.”
The celebration continued at Pottawattomie Park, several miles north in Rogers Park, as children jumped in inflatables.
Meanwhile, the Juneteenth Freedom Market kicked off at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.
“We really just want to showcase the greatness of the Black creative and entrepreneurial community in Chicago,” says IB Majekodunmi, founder of Refine Collective.
Four years ago, Majekodunmi brought black minority businesses together for an opportunity. Refine Collective has now grown to 60 vendors bringing thousands to The Salt Shed for a day of freedom to remember.
“I just want people to think of Chicago, to think of this,” she said, “and then to think, you know, of the space, the joy that’s in there.”
Each of the June 1 celebrations was different – and reflected a larger push to highlight minorities in the community based on their passions.
