19
June
2023
|
09:42 AM
America/New_York

HE&R Celebrates Juneteenth 2023

This email was sent to our team members in celebration of Juneteenth 2023. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Today marks Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating enslaved African Americans' emancipation. According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, “On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day.”

In 1997, the symbol of Juneteenth was created by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. According to CNN.com, the Juneteenth Flag is ‘full of symbols.’  

Juneteenth Flag
Juneteenth Flag
  • The white star in the center of the flag has a dual meaning: 
    • It represents Texas, where Union soldiers informed the country’s last remaining enslaved people that they were free.
    • Also represents the freedom of African Americans in all 50 states.
  • The bursting outline around the star represents a nova, a new star to astronomers. On this flag, it represents a new beginning for African Americans across our country. 
  • The curve represents a new horizon and the promise of what lies ahead. 
  • The colors of the Junenteeth Flag - red, white and blue - represent America.

To learn more about Juneteenth, check out these resources: 

We encourage you to learn about this important holiday - often called our country’s ‘other freedom day.’ Thank you for supporting our organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.