Tagged: Juneteenth

Thousands of residents lined Chicon Street this morning to celebrate Juneteenth, when the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves came to be enforced in Texas.

Nathan Robertson was one participant. He’s lived in East Austin all his life. Robertson says it’s important for him to acknowledge the historical importance of the day, and that the parade offers a chance to catch up with old friends.

“We see people we haven’t seen in a while because of work and church and school,” Robertson says. “You know, you get in your routine and don’t see people. But we come out here and we can see people we haven’t seen in a year.”

Lawmakers to Hear Testimony on STAAR Implementation

State lawmakers will get an update today on how the rollout of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, known as STAAR, went this spring. The exam is the state’s latest school accountability test.

Figures released this month indicated that many Texas ninth graders performed poorly on the test. As the Texas Tribune previously reported, “This year, the scores on the exams don’t count toward high school students’ final grades or toward school districts’ accountability ratings. But a requirement that students retake a test if they do not achieve a minimum score remains in place.” So due to low scores, many students will retake exams this summer.

Tuesday, June 19th marks the 147th anniversary of Juneteenth, marking the abolition of slavery in Texas.

To celebrate the day, when enforcement of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas, a parade will wind its way through east Austin.

It’s the 16th annual parade put on by the volunteer-based Juneteenth Committee. For coordinator Gwendolyn Doyle, the event is more than a simple celebration.

North Texas Tremor

An earthquake shook part of North Texas early this morning.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 3.1 magnitude earthquake happened about 16 miles south of Fort Worth and just over 150 miles north of Austin.

The local sheriff’s office says so far there are no reports of injuries or damage.

Groundbreaking for African American Cultural Facility

The City of Austin is inviting people to celebrate Juneteenth at a groundbreaking ceremony this morning for the city’s African American Cultural and Heritage Facility.  It’s going to be built on 912 East 11th Street and includes the restoration of the historic Dedrick-Hamilton House, which was home to the family of one of the first freed slaves in Travis County.