Juneteenth: A Celebration of Independence

By Sheilah Kast,

Melissa Gerr

Published June 13, 2019 at 10:33 AM EDT

There is more than one independence day celebrated on American soil. Juneteenth is gaining recognition, but many Americans still don’t understand its significance. National Park Ranger Anokwale Anansesemfounravels the history behind the holiday that commemorates the proclamation of the end of slavery. Then Sheri Booker, author and spoken word artist, previews her talk at Enoch Pratt Free Library, and shares what she hopes Juneteenth will become.

For information on Juneteenth events, click on these links:

Enoch Pratt Free Library, Hampton Historic Site, Hosanna School, Juneteenth Resevoir Hill home and garden tour, and A Cultural Celebration at Port Covington.

For information on the Black Diamond Girls Club, visit this link.

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Sheilah Kast

Sheilah Kast is the host of On The Record, Monday-Friday, 9:30-10:00 am.

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Melissa Gerr

Melissa Gerr is a Senior Producer for On the Record. She started in public media at Twin Cities Public Television in St. Paul, Minn., where she is from, and then worked as a field producer for Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland. She made the jump to audio-lover in Baltimore as a digital media editor at Mid-Atlantic Media and Laureate Education, Inc. and as a field producer for "Out of the Blocks." Her beat is typically the off-beat with an emphasis on science, culture and things that make you say, 'Wait, what?'

See stories by Melissa Gerr