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ITEM: A PROCLAMATION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA PROCLAIMING MAY 20, 2021 AS "FLORIDA EMANCIPATION DAY" IN THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
REQUEST: Proclamation proclaiming May 20, 2021 as "Florida Emancipation Day" in the Village of Wellington.
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EXPLANATION: President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. However, it was more than two years before news of the end of slavery traveled to certain regions of the United States. On June 19, 1865, federal authorities who had arrived in Galveston, Texas informed slaves that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Therefore, June 19th or “Juneteenth”, has been commonly recognized and celebrated as the day that slavery ended in the United States.
In 1991, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill No. 243, which created Section 683.21, Florida Statutes, which officially designates June 19th of each year as “Juneteenth Day” to commemorate the traditional observance of the day the slaves in Florida were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation. On May 20, 1865, Union Brigadier General Edward M. McCook formally announced President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation from the steps of the Knott House in Tallahassee, Florida, effectively ending slavery in the State of Florida. As a result, many Floridians celebrate May 20th as Emancipation Day in Florida.
"Florida Emancipation Day" is not currently on our Annual List of Proclamations, but will be added when the listing of Proclamations is presented to Council in August.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: N/A
PUBLIC HEARING: N/A QUASI-JUDICIAL:
FIRST READING: SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Proclamation proclaiming May 20, 2021 as "Florida Emancipation Day" in the Village of Wellington.