Juneteenth Celebration in City Hall Circle.

Endasi Lukoma gives a speech about the symbolism behind the Juneteenth Flag

Endasi Lukoma gave a speech about the symbolism behind the Juneteenth Flag which was created in 1997 by Ben Faith and Lisa Jeanne Graf. This flag commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The red, white, and blue represent the American Flag. This is a reminder that the slaves and all their descendants are all Americans.

The Star and the Arc represent the fact that all African-Americans have freedom in all 50 states. The Emancipation Proclamation was first to read and acknowledged in Galveston, Texas. Alongside the star, the outlined burst and arc represent the new horizon and new opportunities that are to come for African-Americans. (source: https://parade.com/ June 18, 2021)

The white star in the center represents Texas. In Galveston, where Union Soldiers informed the country’s last remaining slaves that the Civil War was over and they were free. (source:wfaa.com Nationworld June 18, 2021.)

City Historian John K. Dyke explained the history of Junteenth. (To read his remarks, click here.)

*Photos by Carolyn Maxwell & Chris Dyke

Click on photos in gallery below to enlarge