Juneteenth event on June 18 at Jacob’s Chapel A.M.E. Church of Mt Laurel
Each year, June 19 commemorates the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This year, the second annual Juneteenth Family Fun Day Celebration, being held on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will continue to highlight the triumphs of the African American community over the past century.
“This is an important event in the community because too often we don’t celebrate the rich history of African Americans,” said Crystal Charley, president of Southern Burlington County NAACP. “In essence, this is independence day for African Americans.”
Held at Jacob’s Chapel A.M.E Church at 318 Elbo Lane, this event is meant to emphasize just how far African Americans have come since the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. It will also educate attendees on the additional work necessary to ensure equality and justice for all, regardless of race.
In addition to the date, the location chosen for this event is also of significance. Jacob’s Chapel A.M.E. Church is the oldest African American Church in Burlington County, and the historic property is also home to the Colemantown Meeting House. These historic landmarks were both stops for runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad, making them of great historic importance.
Significance in history
Dating back to June 19, 1865, this date in history became momentous when Union soldiers, led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, and announced the news that the Civil War was officially over, meaning the enslaved were now free.
While this was breaking news at the time, this word-of-mouth delivery came two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was made official on Jan. 1, 1863. According to Juneteenth.com, many theories exist on why this delay occurred. One version references a story that the original messenger carrying the news of freedom was murdered on the journey to Texas, while another claims enslavers deliberately withheld the message.
“The history of Juneteenth is significant to Americans because it helps us to appreciate the tremendous efforts involved in the abolishment of slavery and to embrace the true American spirit of freedom,” said Dawn Fontaine, second vice president and community coordination chair at the SBC NAACP. “This is especially meaningful to me because it encourages me to teach the next generations the power in overcoming obstacles in a diverse society.”
Event details
Regardless why the delay in communication occurred from 1863 to 1865, today, June 19 marks a day of both remembrance and celebration. This is the first year the Southern Burlington County NAACP will be partnering with Jacob’s Chapel A.M.E. Church of Mt Laurel to organize this event, which is free to the public and includes a day of family fun.
During the festivities, tours of the historic Underground Railroad route and re-enactments of the Civil War battle will be presented to remind attendees of the sacrifices many of their ancestors had endured for a better future. There will also be vendors, live poetry, sack racing, spiritual hymns and storytelling for children.
“If you don’t know where you came from, it can negatively affect where you’re going. I think that children deserve to have a sense of pride about where they come from and know that there is still far to go,” Charley said.
