LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Juneteenth is a day of national celebration in America. The holiday marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce all enslaved people were free nearly two years after the emancipation proclamation.
According to Brian Rodgers, an adult interpretive specialist with the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the hope of Juneteenth is that more people will learn the story and remember this milestone in history.
“They took their love of Juneteenth and the celebration of that day with them, and it began to spread to the surrounding states and eventually throughout the country through the process of the great migration," said Rodgers.
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is spreading that hope and knowledge even further marking their 15th annual celebration in the capital city.
“We’re expanding to 8th street this year so we’re encompassing more of downtown Little Rock. So we’ve added some really cool activities this year. Probably the biggest thing we’ve added this year is our “edutainment” stage this year. It’s a secondary stage that is inside the museum. It will feature kid performers and some educational activities,” he explained.
Not to mention food trucks, musical performances, and a 5K! However, Rodgers added that the great part of the weekend is the knowledge taken away by those who attend.
“Whether it’s a kid or an adult that learns history they didn’t know. Makes me feel like my degree is not being wasted. It excites me and it makes me feel like the work that we do here and the team here at Mosaic Templars is doing something that matters," he said.
The museum is open every day and admission is free, so go check them out.