For a first in Hopkinsville and Christian County history, a proclamation was held declaring June 19 as Juneteenth Day, in celebration of the day many consider the day slavery truly came to an end in the United States.
Mayor Wendell Lynch says he and Judge-Executive Steve Tribble were excited and honored to recognize the day in 1865, two years after the end of the Civil War, when Union Army General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and read the federal orders proclaiming all slaves as free. Governor Andy Beshear signed a proclamation on Thursday, with Mayor Lynch praising his recommendation of making it a state holiday.
Mayor Lynch says Juneteenth is America’s second Independence Day, and it is something that should be celebrated by all.
In western Kentucky, many celebrate August 8 as Emancipation Day—Lynch says Juneteenth is the more widely recognized, and oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery. Both Mayor Lynch and Judge-Executive Tribble encouraged all citizens to take a moment to pause, reflect and embrace our shared journey of freedom.