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Juneteenth celebrated in Milton

The members of Delta Sigma Theta Soroity gathered for a group photo during the event. Shown in back are (l-r) Tyniece Norwood, Bernice Edwards, Josephine Seals, Angela Dunmore, Sabrina Neal, Karen Maull and Tanya R. Smack. In front are Geraldine Jones, Waynne Paskins, Mary Matthews, Veronica Oney, Regina Jones Brake and Olivia T. Blackwell. BY STEVEN BILLUPS
July 4, 2014
The Sussex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held its annual Juneteenth celebration June 21 at Memorial Park in Milton. The event is celebrated yearly to perpetuate freedom to young people. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of slaves in Texas, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, abolishing slavery. The slaves in Texas were never made aware to their freedom. On June 18-19, 1865, General Gordon Granger, with 2,000 troops, arrived in Galveston, Texas to take posseion of the confederate state and to enforce the emancipation of its slaves. He read the famous "General Order No.3" from the excutive office of the United States, stating that they were free.