Juneteenth is also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day. This holiday commemorates the announcement that slavery was abolished in Texas, the last remaining state enslaving people in the United States. The slaves in Texas were still not aware in 1865 that they were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Slavery was abolished on January 1, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln; however, the disenfranchisement of African-Americans continued and became decidedly worse with the enactment of Jim Crow laws which were enforced from the late 19th century until 1965.
The celebration of Juneteenth dwindled as African-Americans struggled to find work and make a life under the crushing effect of these discriminatory laws. These laws mandated the segregation of public schools, public places, and public transportation, and the segregation of restrooms, restaurants, and drinking fountains for blacks and whites. The US Military was segregated and President Woodrow Wilson approved segregation in federal workplaces in 1913.
The 50's and 60's brought the Civil Rights Movement and a call for racial equality. In 1954 "Brown v, Board of Education" declared segregation of public schools unconstitutional. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended legal discrimination. (Unfortunately, institutionalized racism continues to be a serious issue in America today.)
In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. arranged The Poor People's March in Washington, D.C. purposely to coincide with Juneteenth. Sadly, he was assassinated two months prior to the march but it did proceed under Reverend Ralph Abernathy and his widow, Coretta Scott King. Delegates to the march took the Juneteenth celebration back to their home states and the holiday was revived.
In 1980, Texas was the first state to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. Today, it is recognized as either a holiday or as a special day of observance in almost all states. In 2018 the United States Senate passed a resolution honoring the holiday, but efforts have failed to make it an official national holiday.
The Juneteenth flag is red, white, and blue to denote that slaves and their descendants are Americans. The star in the middle pays homage to Texas and the bursting "new star" on the "horizon" of the blue and red fields represent a new freedom and a new people.
May we, humans of all colors, nationalities, and religions, strive to remember that, in the words of President John F. Kennedy, Jr., "when Freedom is indivisible, and one man is enslaved, all are not free."
History Information:
As June 19, 1865, marks the end of enslavement, September 29, 1865, marks the beginning of North Carolina freedmen collectively asserting their rights. The 1865 North Carolina Freedmen’s Convention is one of the first such conventions in the South. Held over the course of several days, the courage of these freedmen is remarkable in assembling just blocks from the state capitol and then presenting their resolution to the 1865 Constitutional Convention. A journalist who covered the Freedmen’s Convention, Sidney Andrews, describes this resolution as “one of the most remarkable documents that the time has brought forth.” Andrew further states: “This was their first political act; and I do not see how they could have presented their claims with more dignity, with a more just appreciation of the state of affairs, or in a manner which should appeal more forcibly either to the reason or the sentiment of those whom they address.”
Click on the link to check out the Warren County Schools High School Graduation Ceremony. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 at Warren Early College, Warren New Tech and Warren County High Schools. Click on the link below to see the video.
https://youtu.be/xZ0u_qK2-rQ
Make Sure You Count Warren County!
Check out the Summer Reading Challenge sponsored by the Friends of the Warren County Memorial Library
Important Update Concerning the Warren County Schools Summer Meals Program: The Warren County High School location for meals pickup will reopen on Tuesday, June 16th. The hours of operation will be from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm.
To gather the thoughts of Warren County parents and other interested members of the community, the Warren County School District is conducting a survey and is requesting participation from the parents of every Warren County student. Warren County Schools encourages all parents to complete the following survey to help our administrative staff plan for the upcoming school year. We want to know how our parents feel about sending their students back to school amid the COVID 19 pandemic. Also, we want to know where our community households stand with internet connectivity and the availability of devices —laptops, computers, and Chromebooks. This survey will help us identify and address the needs and concerns of our parents. We appreciate the participation of our students, parents and community as we work together to provide the best education possible for our students.
Click on the survey link below to access the survey. It should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N6G73BC
Click on the link below to access the Warren County Board of Education Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLwDMK06kErzZMQdhKtsKeA/live
The Warren County Board of Education will hold a virtual Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The public can access the meeting via a link on the school district website, warrenk12nc.org, under the Live Feed section. This link will also be posted on social media. If you would like to make public comments, please click on the link below and complete the form by 3:00 pm on June 9, 2020. The comments will be read at the meeting.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bdu2HVab_gL0tYwri53t2XSghgy86udYRuk1TOsuOcI/edit
IMPORTANT CHANGE IN SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM SITES. Check out the flyer for more information
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO CHECK OUT THE LIVE WARREN COUNTY SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONIES. CONGRATUALTIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2020!!!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLwDMK06kErzZMQdhKtsKeA/live
Click on the link below to access the Warren County Board of Education Worksession tonight at 6:00 pm. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLwDMK06kErzZMQdhKtsKeA/live
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Warren County Board of Education is postponing their virtual Board Work Session/Business Meeting scheduled for today, May 26th at 6:00 p.m. and rescheduling for Thursday, May 28th at 6:00 p.m. We appreciate your understanding.
Important Information Concerning Warren County Schools Graduation:
1. According to the Governor, moving to phase 2 still does not allow for traditional graduation ceremonies. His offices advised schools to move forward with the May 1 guidelines which we are in compliance with. For the drive thru graduation the student may have whomever they wish to be with them in the vehicle. Students must be seated in the passenger front seat dressed in their cap and gown.
2. We have two rain dates. They are Sunday, May 31st and Saturday, June 6th both at 10 am. There will be a live stream and it will be recorded for full presentation 3 days after graduation. The live stream will be on the district's you tube page as well as the Facebook page. The sheriff's office discourages individuals from parking along hwy 158.
The Warren County Board of Education will hold a virtual Work Session/Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The public can access the meeting via a link on the school district website, warrenk12nc.org, under the Live Feed section. This link will also be posted on social media. If you would like to make public comments, please click on the link below and complete the form by 3:00 pm on May 26, 2020. The comments will be read at the meeting.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JXqrXcsZT5PTkf47J65dpGK49EwSNDdrOcy5ymRg4gw/edit
Here is new information concerning the Summer Meals Program. Starting Tuesday, May 26th, the pickup times will change. Check out the flyer for details.
Important School Nutrition Meal Pickup Information Update. Check out the flyer for information
Warren Strong!
Click on the link below to access the Warren County Board of Education Meeting tonight at 6:00 pm.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLwDMK06kErzZMQdhKtsKeA/live
Food Lion partnered with Warren County Schools to provide $20 gift cards to the community. The last event was done on Friday, May 8th. THANK YOU FOOD LION!
