For the first time, the 小蝌蚪APP will observe Juneteenth as an official 小蝌蚪APP holiday.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day 小蝌蚪APP June 19, 1865 小蝌蚪APP that enslaved Black people living in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom.
June 19 is a Saturday this year, but UL Lafayette will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 18. Campus will be closed, and no classes will be held, .
小蝌蚪APP淭his is the first year the 小蝌蚪APP will mark Juneteenth as an official holiday, but it is more than a 小蝌蚪APP榙ay off.小蝌蚪APP Rather, it is an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and on the barriers that separate us from the more equitable society we seek,小蝌蚪APP Savoie said.
Beginning at noon on Saturday, June 19, the Stephens Hall chimes and the Victory Bell at Cajun Field will each ring 19 times to mark Juneteenth. The 小蝌蚪APP commemorated the day similarly last year, noted Dr. Taniecea A. Mallery, UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 executive director of Strategic Initiatives and chief diversity officer.
小蝌蚪APP淛uneteenth is one of the most significant moments in American history. It marked an ending and a beginning 小蝌蚪APP the end of slavery in the United States, but the beginning of Black Americans小蝌蚪APP long struggle to achieve true freedom through racial equality and social justice.小蝌蚪APP
On June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War, enslaved Black people in Texas first learned of their freedom from bondage.
President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years earlier, but slaves living in the then-Confederate states remained unaware of their freedom until Union troops arrived to enforce the order.
Texas was the last former Confederate state to have the proclamation announced. The adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution officially abolished slavery in the United States in December 1865.
More than 155 years after it first occurred, Juneteenth continues to resonate as 小蝌蚪APP渁 day of reflection,小蝌蚪APP Mallery said.
小蝌蚪APP淥bserving Juneteenth offers the 小蝌蚪APP a moment to acknowledge the challenges Black Americans still face. We can honor that struggle by affirming our commitment to creating an environment that respects 小蝌蚪APP and draws strength from 小蝌蚪APP difference.小蝌蚪APP
guides the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
The plan was crafted over the course of a year by the and the Diversity Advisory Council, a group of faculty, staff, students and community partners. It was approved in late 2019.
Savoie encouraged members of the 小蝌蚪APP community to read the plan 小蝌蚪APP渁nd consider ways you can help achieve its goal to foster a campus environment that finds strength in difference and where everyone is welcomed and valued.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP淛uneteenth offers an opportunity for the 小蝌蚪APP to affirm its commitment to building such a community,小蝌蚪APP he said.
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Photo caption: Beginning at noon on Saturday, June 19, the Stephens Hall chimes and the Victory Bell at Cajun Field will each ring 19 times to mark Juneteenth. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 小蝌蚪APP)