Daytona Beach TV's video: City of Daytona Beach Mayors Proclamation: June 19 2020

Mayor Derrick Henry reads aloud a proclamation declaring today, June 19, 2020, Juneteenth Independence Day in Daytona Beach. Background: June 19 has a special meaning for African Americans. "JUNETEENTH" is a combination of the words June and nineteenth and has been celebrated by the African-American community for more than 150 years. It was the day, in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Texas and freed the slaves. The announcement came two-and-a-half-years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Daytona Beach with a community festival for the last 19 years; however, this year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.