III.1. Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth; Imihy
CITY OF HOPKINS
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: PeggySue Imihy, Management Analyst
Date: June 15, 2021
Subject: Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth
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Background
On January 1, 1863 the emancipation proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln
abolishing slavery in the United States, however this news did not make it to many parts
of the south and southwest for another two and a half years. The first known celebration
of this news occurred in Galveston, Texas following the arrival of the Union Army on
June 19, 1865 and has been celebrated by African Americans for the last 150 years.
The holiday has is also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day and
is continued to be celebrated throughout the country.
In Hopkins, local entrepreneur Jessica Winnie and her business Minnesota Black Box,
has organized the “Juneteenth Jubilee” which will be held at the Hopkins Center for the
Arts and will be an opportunity to celebrate the holiday through creating a space to heal,
build and support local Black owned businesses. Ms. Winnie will attend the meeting on
June 15, 2021 to receive the proclamation and share about the Juneteenth event.
Next Steps
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2021
as Juneteenth.
Administration
A Proclamation Commemorating Juneteenth
WHEREAS, The United States of America is a nation founded on the principles of liberty
and justice for all, and the Civil War was fought to ensure that freedom would be shared
by all; and
WHEREAS, On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation
Proclamation, which abolished slavery; and
WHEREAS, word about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed two-
and one-half years in reaching authorities and African Americans in the South and
Southwestern United States; and
WHEREAS, this news of freedom reached Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 and is the
site of the first celebration of Juneteenth; and
WHEREAS, June 19th has a special meaning to African -Americans, and is called
JUNETEENTH, combining the words June and Nineteenth, and has been celebrated by
the African-American community for over 150 years; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Hopkins recognizes “Juneteenth Jubilee”
hosted by Minnesota Black Box, held on June 19, 2021 at the Hopkins Center for the Arts,
which celebrates this holiday through the promotion of local, Black-owned, businesses.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Jason Gadd, Mayor of the City of Hopkins in the State of
Minnesota, along with my fellow Council Members, recognize, adopt and proclaim this
Proclamation to urge all residents to become more aware of the significance of this
celebration in African-American History and in the heritage of our nation and City.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City of
Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 15th day of
June in the year 2021.
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Jason Gadd, Mayor