Juneteenth: 4 interesting facts about the celebration marking end of slavery

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, June 19, 2020

The largest celebration

A copy of General Order Number 3 of June 19, 1865, which was issued by Union General Gordon Granger to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. The anniversary of this order is celebrated every June 19th as Juneteenth, also called 'Freedom Day' or 'Jubilee Day.' — A copy of General Order Number 3 of June 19, 1865, which was issued by Union General Gordon Granger to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. The anniversary of this order is celebrated every June 19th as Juneteenth, also called "Freedom Day" or "Jubilee Day." | Public Domain

While the Juneteenth celebration was first observed and later officially recognized in Texas, it is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that boasts the largest Freedom Day celebration parade.

In 2019, approximately 25,000 people came for the parade and festival in Philadelphia, according to Sonni King of the Pennsylvania Juneteenth Initiative.

“A lot of people didn't know about Juneteenth. People were curious. It was kind of like an awakening for people to understand what Juneteenth is,” King told ABC News.

“We're not just working on parades and festivals we are the organization that's in the community, we do things in the community, we help the community.”