On Friday, June 12, at 10:00 a.m., Macon Black Culture and Macon-Bibb County will hold a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Juneteenth. The ceremony will happen at Rosa Parks Square (701 Poplar Street) and will be live streamed on www.Facebook.com/MaconBibbCounty.

“Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history, honor the resilience and contributions of African Americans, and celebrate the progress we’ve made together,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “As a community, we are proud to recognize this important day and continue building a Macon-Bibb where everyone feels valued, respected, and included.”

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Recognized as the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

In observance of Juneteenth, Macon-Bibb County government offices will be closed on Friday, June 19. Emergency services will continue operating as normal. Trash and recycling pick-up routes will not be affected and will run as usual.