Mayor Jane Castor and Tampa City Council sign the Executive Order on Friday, October 21, officially designating Juneteenth as an official City of Tampa holiday at Perry Harvey Sr. Park.
Juneteenth, or “Freedom Day” is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This holiday is considered the longest-running African-American holiday and has been called “America's second Independence Day.”
“Juneteenth is the day we celebrate the end of slavery in America and pause to remember that the struggle for freedom never ends,” Mayor Jane Castor said. "By deeming this an official City of Tampa holiday, our employees can take the day to reflect and celebrate Juneteenth with their families and friends. Now, this profoundly important day will forever be respected, revered, and remembered.”
For the past three years, the City of Tampa, Mayor Jane Castor, and the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition have hosted an Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival for both the public and City of Tampa employees. The event includes local vendors, artists, musicians, elected officials, religious leaders, and community organizations.
In 2021, President Biden signed legislation that made Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, a federal holiday.
Original source can be found here.
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