SOUTH BEND, Ind.--- A Juneteenth celebration was held at Howard Park in South Bend Saturday. Juneteeth, which was named a federal holiday on Thursday, commemorates enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learning of their freedom on June 19th, 1865.
"Honestly its long overdue that Juneteenth is recognized as a federal holiday, this symbolic gesture of liberation, this is something that should be known across America," said Alioso Wilmoth, who lives in South Bend.
At Howard Park people spoke, ate, and danced to honor the legacy of those who learned their freedom from bondage over 150 years ago.
"Just because of the movement that’s happening it’s become something that I don’t think will ever go back," said Regina Williams-Preston of Black Lives Matters South Bend. "I think it’s important, first of all, that people do know our history. We need to tell the stories in our oral tradition."
In addition to a brief ceremony, there was also a car show and basketball tournament held.