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On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, the Mercer County Park Festival Grounds brimmed with excitement as families, friends, merchants, musicians, and local organizations gathered to celebrate the upcoming Juneteenth holiday. Among them, Princeton Hydro proudly exhibited as a Stacey Abrams Sponsor, supporting the event hosted by the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. Composed of a diverse group of educators, executives, business representatives, and officials, the African American Cultural Collaborative strives to enhance the quality of life within their community through the mediums of arts, education, and culture. They create inclusive platforms for families from various backgrounds to gather in a safe and positive environment, fostering community bonds and cross-cultural collaboration.
During this 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, community members mingled, immersed in the melodies flowing from the park stage. Artists, encompassing musical performers, dancers, and poets, shared their cultural heritage through captivating performances.
“It’s an honor to be here today as a sponsor of this significant celebration of freedom and resilience. Juneteenth marks the triumph of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of equality,” said Geoffrey M. Goll, President of Princeton Hydro. “At Princeton Hydro, we are dedicated to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better through ecological restoration. Just as water sustains life, so does justice sustain our society. This Juneteenth, we reflect on the past, celebrate the progress, and commit to a future of environmental stewardship and social equity. Thank you for joining us in this vital journey.”
Among the vibrant crowd, a booth representing Princeton Hydro stood out, adorned with an array of free native plants from Pinelands Nursery & Supply. Dedicated to fostering appreciation for environmental stewardship, we enthusiastically shared our knowledge and passion with attendees. We were delighted in distributing Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma), Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia fulgida), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) to visitors. Attendees were overjoyed by these gifts, their beaming smiles reflecting the simple joy of connecting with the earth.
As the day drew to a close, with just one crate of plants remaining, the gathering had been an undeniable success, leaving hearts filled with happiness and a renewed appreciation for those who embraced the opportunity to bring a touch of nature into their lives.
On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free all enslaved people. This event, known as Juneteenth or June Nineteenth, marks the end of slavery in the United States. It is the longest-running African American holiday.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in January 1863, it didn’t immediately free anyone. It only applied to Confederate-controlled areas and excluded slave-holding border states and rebel areas under Union control. After the Civil War ended in 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston meant freedom for Texas’s 250,000 enslaved people. Celebrations erupted among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born. The 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery in America in December of the same year.
In 1866, freedpeople in Texas held the first annual “Jubilee Day” celebration on June 19. In the following decades, Juneteenth commemorations spread as Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country. It was not until June 17, 2021, that Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday, recognizing its profound significance in American history.
It’s important to recognize Juneteenth, not only as a reminder of the historical injustices faced by Black Americans, but also as a symbol of the ongoing fight for racial equality. This day not only marks the triumph over adversity but also serves as a profound reminder of our immense capacity for healing and restoration. It underscores our ability to cling to hope during trying times and to emerge from the darkest depths with a reinvigorated sense of purpose and unwavering resolve. By comprehending the significance of Juneteenth, we can actively work towards creating a society where inclusivity and justice prevail for all.
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