150th anniversary of abolishing slavery to be celebrated in Woodbridge June 20

On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas with news that the American Civil War was over and that all slaves were now free. Two and a half years following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, this date officially marked the end of slavery in the United States. This day has become known as Juneteenth, and stands as a celebration of freedom.

On June 20, 2015, a commemoration of Juneteenth will be held on the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza, at 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to wrap up the county’s participation of events surrounding the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War.

Historic interpreter LeCount Holmes will present a Frederick Douglass oration. The Emancipation Proclamation and the Order for Texas will be read. In addition to historic presentations, there will be folk dancers, gospel singers and children’s games.

Prince William Supervisor Martin E. Nohe said a Juneteenth celebration in Prince William County is an appropriate way to wrap up events commemorating the Civil War’s 150th Anniversary.

“The Civil War began in Prince William County in July 1861. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law in 1863,” Nohe was quoted as saying in a county press release. “History tells us that the war ended in Appomattox in 1865. But not all slaves were freed until ‘Juneteenth’ in 1865 in Galveston, Texas, when slavery was officially abolished in every state. I can’t think of a better place to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth than in Prince William County, the place where it all began. I hope the entire community comes out to join us to mark this special remembrance and celebrate the freedom we all enjoy.”

Barbeque and beverages will be for sale at the event.

For more information about the Juneteenth event, call Nohe’s office at 703-792-4620 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or contact the Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division at 703-792-4754 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).