Independence Day
Jul
4
2:30 AM02:30

Independence Day

Independence Day History

Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Independence Day is the most important secular holiday held in the United States. Americans take this day to celebrate all that is American, remembering the great sacrifices of our forefathers as they fought and won our independence from Great Britain. The holiday is also referred to as 4th of July, named after the date on which it is celebrated each year.

 

Independence Day Facts & Quotes

  • Independence was actually declared on July 2. The Declaration of Independence document was dated July 4 and it was signed August 2.
  • In July 1776, there were approximately 2.5 million people living in the new nation.
  • The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence didn't occur until July 8, 1776.  It was sent to the printers on July 4th.
  • The original Declaration of Independence can be viewed by visiting the National Archives, Washington D.C.  The original copy is severely faded and sits under special glass in the Rotunda for the Chambers of Freedom.
  • The Statue of Liberty is a great symbol of American Freedom. It was given to the US by France in 1886.  It was delivered in 214 crates and assembled on what is known as Liberty Island, in New York Harbor.
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Junetheenth
Jun
19
12:01 AM00:01

Junetheenth

Juneteenth History

Juneteenth, also called Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, celebrates the abolition of slaveryin the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to deliver news that President Lincoln has issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the enslaved. Although Lincoln's Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it took nearly two and half years for word to travel from Washington to Texas. By then, Texas had amassed more than 250,000 slaves.  

Since 1865, Juneteenth has been informally celebrated throughout the country however in 1980, Texas became the first state to recognize it as an official holiday. Shortly thereafter, other states also proclaimed the holiday. Today, Juneteenth is a celebration of African-American freedom, heritage and culture observed through songs, communal cookouts and parades.

 

Juneteenth Facts & Quotes

  • The national juneteenth theme is Together we will see Juneteenth become a national day of observance in America!.
  • According to the International Labor Organization, almost 21 million people are victims of forced labor today, 11+ million women and girls and 9+ million men and boys.
  • Juneteenth is an official state holiday in Texas, meaning that Texans do not work.
  • Juneteenth is a combination of the words June and Nineteenth in reference to the date that slaves were freed in Texas.
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Haitian Parade 2018
May
20
1:00 PM13:00

Haitian Parade 2018

Haitian-Americans United, Inc.(H.A.U.) of Boston, Massachusetts, Celebrating Haitian Contributions to U.S. History and Culture throughout the month of May: Haitian Heritage Month. National Haitian-American Elected Officials (2018).

The parade will start at 1pm in the afternoon - BMC members and volunteers will meet in front of the post office at 12:30pm

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Walk for Peace
May
13
8:30 AM08:30

Walk for Peace

  • 1520 Dorchester Avenue Boston, MA, 02122 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Mother's Day Walk is a beloved Boston tradition and celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities. Every year families from across the state and region walk together toward peace. Join us on Mother's Day to demand dignity and compassion for all families impacted by murder - We will be walking with St. Stephens in conjunction for B-Peace for Jorge

Meet us at 1520 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02122

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

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