The Second Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade in Troy will be held on June 14.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the U.S. that celebrates the end of slavery in America. 

This is the second year for the parade, which was founded by Troy native, and Troy University graduate, Ebony Williams.

“What made me want to start the parade was just the fact that we had this day that had been recognized as a federal holiday – and now a state holiday – and nobody really understood exactly what Juneteenth was or what it meant,” Williams said. “I just wanted to bring awareness to it and I wanted people to know and understand that it was Independence Day from when the last slaves were freed. 

“There were lots of different communities and other states that had been celebrating this for a very long time but we hadn’t done it in Troy. So, I thought, what better reason to celebrate and bring people together and also have an educational opportunity? It’s celebrating a part of history.”

Juneteenth is commemorated on June 19, in celebration of the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War on June 19, 1865. While the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in America was signed in 1983, it took more than two years for it to be completely enacted across the country. 

Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021 but has been celebrated since 1866. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also signed a bill earlier this year commemorating Juneteenth as an official Alabama state holiday, as well. In previous years, Ivey had signed executive orders acknowledging the occasion as a state holiday but the bill passed back in May makes it a permanent state holiday.   

“For me, Juneteenth symbolizes freedom, equality and justice for all and that one day we shall overcome,” Williams emphasized. “It’s a part of history that people should know. It should be celebrated all over just like every national holiday. I hope that every year it can get bigger and better.” 

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on June 14 on Elm Street and proceed through downtown before turning down North Three Notch Street and ending at Murphy Park. There will also be a big Juneteenth Celebration at Murphee Park after the parade with artists, vendors, food and water. 

Williams said that it was important that people of all races and backgrounds understand that Juneteenth is American history, not just Black American history.

“I don’t want people to look at it as if it’s just a black holiday or something like that,” she continued. “It’s not, it honors those that were enslaved but at the same time it’s something I think people from all walks of life should be able to pay homage to and celebrate.”