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Stratford marked Juneteenth this morning with a flag-raising ceremony on the Town Hall Green, where local and state leaders joined community members to honor the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Juneteenth recognizes June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved people—more than two years after the proclamation was first issued.
This year's Mr. Juneteenth said the day is about celebrating freedom, resilience, and the legacy of those who came before.
"The importance of celebrating Juneteenth to me is celebrating our freedom, celebrating the resilience we have, and celebrating our heritage—honoring our past and what our ancestors went through for us," he said.
Organizers say the ceremony serves as a reminder of the nation's ongoing effort to build a more just and equitable society.
The holiday will be observed on Friday, June 19.
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