Ouachita Parish’s NAACP president speaks on the history of Juneteenth National Independence Day

OUACHITA PARISH (KTVE/KARD) – Each year, on June 19, Juneteenth National Independence Day is celebrated to honor the last group of enslaved African Americans who were freed nearly 160 years ago.

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, on June 19, 1865, 250,000 African Americans were emancipated by President Abraham Lincoln and gained their freedom in Galveston Bay, Texas. This day became known as Juneteenth and has been celebrated since. KTVE/KARD spoke with the President of the NAACP of Ouachita Parish about what this day means.

Wow! Where do you want me to start? Juneteenth means a great gravity of commitment from the people before us who hung in there not knowing even the fact that they were free. Junteenth meant that I’m a picture of blessings. From that day 1865 to 1866, history says they began to celebrate a whole year later.

Rev. Ambrose Douzart, President | NAACP of Ouachita

Although Juneteenth has been celebrated for many years, the holiday was not federally recognized until 2021. The recognition came after a bill to solidify Juneteenth National Independence Day was almost unanimously passed through both chambers of the United States Congress.

On the eve of the holiday, June 18, 2021, the bill was signed by President Joe Biden, establishing it as a federal holiday. Rev. Douzart spoke to KTVE/KARD about what it means for the holiday to receive federal recognition.

He saw something that was very important. Let’s make this a federal holiday. Look at the contributions, look at the lives maybe that were taken. Let’s make this national, this means something. Is this a part of history? Yes it is!

Rev. Ambrose Douzart, President | NAACP of Ouachita

To commemorate the holiday, Juneteenth celebrations are held in the form of festivals, parades, and church services throughout local communities.