SAN ANGELO, TX — "When I was going to school they taught about the 19th of June, but now they don’t teach that in high school"
Ralph Powell, president of the Juneteenth Committee of the Concho Valley says every year he makes it his goal to educate young people on the reason we celebrate Juneteenth.
"we want our young people to know where they came from," said Powell.
And know that this celebration is one for personal freedom
"I’ve gone through where we had to go in the back door, I’ve gone through where we had to stand in the back of the line," said Aubrey Todd, vice president of the committee.
when Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 he granted every American their freedom.
"General Granger didn't get to Galveston until 1865 with the proclamation saying that you're free," said Powell.
And while it took a while for the news to spread, on June 19, 1865 word finally reached Galveston, Texas.
"Where he was with the proclamation from 1863 to 1865 I have no earthly idea," said Powell.
Powell says this year’s parade will honor several significant African American of the community.
"this is going to be the biggest and the best Juneteenth we've ever had, and we've had some good one,” said Powell.