Midland Mayor Lori Blong issued a proclamation declaring the week of June 19-23 as "Juneteenth Midland Celebration Days" in the Permian Basin. The week takes its name from the newest federal holiday, which celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
"We honor the resilience, ingenuity, and enduring spirit of African Americans, who have shaped and enriched our nation in countless ways, and we acknowledge the significant contributions they have made to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of our communities,” said Blong in a Facebook post posted by the city.
Blong said that Juneteenth being a federal holiday affirms "its significance in our national narrative and providing an opportunity for all Americans to learn, grow, and unite in the spirit of freedom and justice."
According to History.com, Juneteenth honors the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas, who took control of the state and declared all enslaved people freed. The soldiers’ arrival occurred 2 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln was assassinated just two months prior.
Juneteenth officially became a national holiday on June 17, 2021.