Juneteenth is one of the oldest and biggest celebrations of freedom in the United States.

Two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Texas learned of their freedom. How the message became so delayed is debatable – but some  historians have said that messengers on their way to deliver the news were intentionally murdered, and others claim that slave owners intentionally withheld the news to maintain their workforce.

Flash forward 152 years, and that moment when all became free is still commemorated throughout the United States. Delilah Hamilton, Juneteeth Community Association, said that the celebration came to Junction City 24 years ago.

The celebration in Heritage Park complete with music, food trucks, vendors and “bouncy houses” was a community celebration of equality and freedom. Hamilton noted that there is a lot of black history tied to Kansas and specifically Junction City.

“Duke Ellington did a performance here in Junction City back in the ’50s, and in the ’40s – he came here more than one time,” said Hamilton. Ellington and Count Basie would perform at the Black USO in Junction City, which was located at the corner of 18th and Madison Streets.

“We celebrate being free and being emancipated and just freedom itself,” said Hamilton. “If you ever thought about the things that slaves went through, all the breakups of families and being sold away from your family – it was terrible.”

Hamilton said that for the slaves that learned of their emancipation, it was as if they were finally “able to breathe.”