Valdosta Commemorates End to Slavery with Juneteenth Celebration

By: Eames Yates - Email

Updated: Sun 12:03 AM, Jun 24, 2012

-- Valdosta, Ga. -- June 23, 2012 --

Juneteenth is a celebration that commemorates the abolishment of slavery in this country. It spans through various states including Florida and Texas.. but this party was in Valdosta. More than three hundred people came out to enjoy the festivities. The event highlighted when slaves in Texas were freed.. which took a lot longer than in Washington.

The choir director of a local choir, Taurence Phillips said "It was two years later after the emancipation proclomation in 1863 so they recieved their freedom in 1865."

Chief J.D. Rice of the Valdosta Fire Department said "they didn't have all the modern technology that they have now like telephones and things. So they had to travel by horse. So it took that time to get from Washington DC to Texas."

This years event also gave people an opportunity to participate in Georgia's upcoming primary elections on July 31st.

Valdosta Resident Hayden Kilburn said "we just met a guy who was standing there and he started letting us know about registering to vote and everything. My friend has been trying to talk me into it for a while actually. And I just thought it would be a good idea in order to get my voice heard."

This event marked the twentieth year that Valdosta has celebrated Juneteenth.

Monster Twister Classified As EF-5; 24 Killed

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

TitleMax Title Pawns

Turn Your Car Title Into Cash!
No Credit Check. Instant Approval.
www.titlemax.biz

Popular Programs

Big Brother: Big Brother is back! The sexiest, the funniest, the most outrageous summer show returns! Unscripted, unpredictable, unlike any other! Tune in on July 12th for the season premiere only CBS!

CSI: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series and is the most watched drama series in the world!

NCIS: NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Criminal Minds: Criminal Minds is an American police procedural television series on CBS that follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit.

Dr. Oz: Get answers to your health questions from DR. OZ and other leading doctors, hospitals, associations, authors, and people just like you.

LIVE! with Kelly: Live! with Kelly is a American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa.

Anderson: Anderson is a television daytime talk show, hosted by Anderson Cooper.