Juneteenth in Fort Myers: See photos of the celebration

Lee County residents came out June 20 to celebrate Juneteenth with dancing, music, food, games and reflection.

The Lee County Black History Society describes its annual Juneteenth Celebration as “a powerful day of freedom, culture and community.”  

The free event is an opportunity “to reflect, celebrate resilience and connect with the community,” the society wrote June 19 on its Facebook page.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth — short for June 19 — became a federal holiday in 2021 to commemorate the end of slavery and the beginning of a new life for African Americans in the United States.

President Abraham Lincoln freed the country’s enslaved people on Jan. 1, 1863 with his Emancipation Proclamation. But in the South, some Black people continued to be enslaved even after Confederate Gen. General Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union on April 9, 1865, marking the beginning of the end of the Civil War.

The last enslaved people were freed two months later on June 19, when U.S. troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and told them they were no longer slaves. That momentous day has been celebrated in the Black community for generations.

Fort Myers’ Juneteenth Celebration: A day of food, dancing and community

Fort Myers’ annual Juneteenth Celebration took place Saturday, June 20 at The STARS Complex. It featured vendors, live entertainment, fireworks, food trucks, games, carnival rides and a deejay.

The celebration was part of two days of events that included an art exhibit, a 5K run/walk and a movie screening.

Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@usatodayco.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)

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