PROCLAMATION

Whereas, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring the slaves in Confederate territory free, paving the way for the passing of the 13^th Amendment which formally abolished slavery in the United States of America; and

Whereas, word about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed some two and one half years, to June 19, 1865, in reaching Africans in America in the State of Texas.  This is where the popular name “Juneteenth” (for June 19) comes from.  Juneteenth National Freedom Day is used to describe the motive for the celebration as it related to when all Africans in American gained their legal freedom.

Now, therefore, I, Darnell Byrd McPherson, Mayor of the Town of Lamar, South Carolina, hereby proclaim June 19, 2020,

“Juneteenth National Freedom Celebration Day”

in the Town of Lamar and urge all citizens to become aware of the significance of this celebration of African American History in the heritage of our Nation and Town.

In Witness thereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed my signature

Darnell Byrd McPherson

Darnell Byrd McPherson, Mayor  6/16/20

Langford Lang Howell

Attest: Langford “Lang” Howell, Mayor ProTem