Celebrated for over 155 years, Juneteenth will be recognized in the City of Laurel on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Mayor Craig A. Moe and the Laurel City Council invite the public to the Juneteenth program, that will begin at 12:00pm, in the Council Chambers of the Laurel Municipal Center.

First Baptist Church will provide the Invocation and Benediction. Mayor Moe and Council President Valerie Nicholas, along with Guest Speaker Council member Keith Sydnor, will provide remarks about Juneteenth. The Malcom X Drummers will play the African drums and community members will provide poetry readings and uplifting songs. Make sure to mark your calendars and help us celebrate Juneteenth!

What is Juneteenth? When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two years, June 19, 1865, for word to reach African American communities in the South and Southwestern United States. By combining June and Nineteenth, African Americans claimed this day of freedom and called it Juneteenth or Freedom Day.

The Juneteenth Program can be watched Live on the City’s Facebook page at City of Laurel – Government. And Laurel TV will bring the program to you Live on Laurel TV at Comcast 996 (HD)/71, Verizon 12 or via livestream at LaurelTV.org. 

Laurel TV will also provide a link to the video on their YouTube Channel, LaurelTVOfficial, for those unable to attend or watch the Live program.

Laurel residents are urged to observe Juneteenth by displaying Juneteenth yard signs, participate in community events and post to social media using #JuneteenthInLaurel to help raise awareness of this historic event.