Entry bubble Celebrate Juneteenth Today!

By: Stephanie | June 19, 2009 | Category: General

I must admit that I had never heard of Juneteenth until I started working at USA.gov. In researching dates for the federal web portal, I noticed that the commemoration of Juneteenth popped up in a number of Library of Congress and Smithsonian webpages. I became intrigued to learn more, which I did. So I was especially excited to substitute for GovGab today, on the anniversary of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth image from the Anacostia MuseumJuneteenth—which is a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth"—is a celebration to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the word that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years before. The Library of Congress says the reason for the delay was the fact that news traveled so slowly in those days.

As the news spread, former slaves celebrated with festive foods, music, dancing, singing, games, and stories. Juneteenth has been celebrated each year since 1865. In 1979, Texas became the first state to proclaim Emancipation Day (Juneteenth) an official state holiday. Today, more than half of the states in the U.S. officially observe Juneteenth each year. People celebrate with parades, festivals, and cookouts.

Would you like to find out where Juneteenth events are in your state? Visit your state on this map for a list of local events.

I'd love to hear from any of you who celebrate Juneteenth! Tell me how you commemorate this special day.

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Entry bubble Happy Birthday, Abe!

By: Jess | February 12, 2009 | Category: Fun

Abe Lincoln in birthday hatI can't imagine being 200 years old!

Not many people live that long, and you have to be pretty special to have your 200th birthday celebrated long after you're gone. But Abraham Lincoln was that kind of guy.

So to celebrate his 200th birthday in style, the U.S. Mint is releasing four new pennies at three-month intervals throughout the year. The first goes into circulation today, so be on the lookout for it over the next few weeks as you dig into your pockets for spare change.

If you want a sneak peek at the new penny designs and to learn more about the designers you can check them out here.

Each scene depicts something memorable from Lincoln's life

First new penny

The first shows his childhood in Kentucky.

second penny

The second is school-age years in Indiana.

third new penny

The third, his professional life in the Senate in Illinois.

fourth new penny

And the fourth, his presidency in D.C.

Are you looking forward to the new pennies or will you miss the classic Lincoln penny?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: bicenntenial   birthday   day   jess   lincoln   pennies   president's