BOCC Proclamation for Juneteenth

Pictured; County Commissioner, John Martin; resident Gloria Thomas; and resident Glenda Simmons-Jenkins

6/15/22 @ 1:30 p.m. - At the Monday, June 13, 2022, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-112 proclaiming June 19, 2022, as Juneteenth Independence Day in Nassau County, Florida. 

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 and on May 20, 1865, General Edward Cook rode into Tallahassee to execute enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation and announced that enslaved Africans in Florida were freed. Then, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. African Americans in Texas began celebrating this date to commemorate their release from chattel enslavement. 

In 1991, the Florida Legislature designated June 19th of each year as "Juneteenth Day" in recognition of the traditional observance that began in Texas. And in 2021, the United States Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday. 

The Board encourages residents to celebrate during programs, events and observances that will be hosted throughout the area, including events in Fernandina Beach and Historic American Beach. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer