Baha'is Join Chicago-Area Celebration of Juneteenth

June 15, 2005

Source: Chicago Tribune

https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/search/#query=Observance+of+the+day+is+growing+tremendously%2C%27+she+said.+%27As+people+b

On June 15, 2005 the Chicago Tribune reported, "In recent years Juneteenth [a celebration commemorating the unofficial end of slavery in the U.S. (June 19, 1865)] has gained in popularity across the country, said Lula Briggs Galloway, who heads the Michigan-based National Association of Juneteenth Lineage. This year, more than 300 barbecues, picnics, parades and marches will be held to honor the day, said Galloway, whose organization tracks national events. That's nearly three times as many as five years ago, she said. 'Observance of the day is growing tremendously,' she said. 'As people become more educated about it, they want to celebrate. You can now go to these events and ask people why are they there, and they will tell you: `It's our Independence Day.'... In celebration of Juneteenth, the Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette has scheduled a devotional service with prayers and music. 'One of the principles of the Bahai faith is racial unity,' said Joyce Lifoff, program coordinator for the Bahai House of Worship. 'One of the most important goals we have is to heal injustices of the past. For us, this is an important occasion to mark.'"