June 16, 2023 | by Wong Fleming

Wong Fleming proudly recognizes Juneteenth on June 19, 2023.

Juneteenth, sometimes referred to as the country’s second Independence Day, is a momentous occasion in United States history, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people. Although the 1862 Emancipation Proclamation had declared the end of slavery for Confederate states 2 1/2 years earlier on January 1, 1863, many enslavers intentionally held this information from their slaves and refused to follow it.

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived with a force of soldiers in Galveston, Texas, delivering General Order No. 3, which proclaimed the end of the civil war and freedom of all enslaved individuals in Texas. This freed more than 250,000 people, granting them the option to depart or remain and be regarded as employed laborers. The newly freed population of Texas marked this significant milestone, establishing Juneteenth as an annual celebration.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Juneteenth is the first holiday to be added to the list of federal holidays since the recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday in 1983. Throughout the United States, Juneteenth is celebrated by holding local community events, parades, parties, and festivities.

Wong Fleming is committed to observing Juneteenth as a day of celebration and reflection and has made Juneteenth a firm-wide holiday. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that values the unique perspectives and experiences of all individuals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, gender, or background. We are fully committed to sustained engagement in helping end racial and economic inequity in our city, community, and industry.