Louisville to commemorate Juneteenth with weeklong activities

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville is commemorating Juneteenth all week long with free activities for the community.

Those activities include a wellness fair at Waterfront Park, live music and a special worship service at Burnett Avenue Baptist Church.

June 19, 1865, was the day enslaved African Americans in Texas, and other Confederate states, learned that the Civil War had ended and they were free. However, not everyone gained freedom on Juneteenth. In Kentucky, a Union state, slavery continued until December 1865, when federal law forced enslavers in the state to emancipate enslaved people when the 13th Amendment had the approval of three-fourths of the states, ending the practice of slavery in the Union.

A 15-member commission planned the events to mark the historical event.

"It was important to bring together a cross-section of people to collaborate on a city-wide celebration that also supports our ongoing work to advance racial equity," Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said in a statement. "I'm thankful for their partnership and for thinking boldly in putting together this special week of events."

"I strongly encourage anyone and everyone -- black, white, brown, whoever you are -- to celebrate Juneteenth, to acknowledge Juneteenth, to teach your children about Juneteenth," Louisville Metro Council District 4 Councilman Jecorey Arthur said. "Whether or not this gets banned in schools doesn't matter. You need to do the real teaching in your home."

For a schedule of events, click here.