Donzaleigh Abernathy Will Talk Civil Rights History During Juneteenth Program at Pasadena Public Library

On June 17 at 1:00 p.m., Donzaleigh Abernathy, daughter of Civil Rights leader Ralph David Abernathy Sr., will present a historical program at the Hastings Branch Library, 3325 East Orange Grove Boulevard.

The event will honor the legacy of her father and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting their contributions to the fight for equality and the historical significance of Juneteenth.

Donzaleigh Abernathy is an actress, author, and civil rights activist. She grew up witnessing significant events of the Civil Rights Movement and has dedicated her life to civil and human rights. Abernathy has also had a successful career in acting, appearing in various films and television series. She was born in August, 1957, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Juneteenth, also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day,” or “Emancipation Day,” marks June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. This announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The delay was due to the slow spread of information and the continued resistance of Confederate states.

The first official Juneteenth celebrations took place in Texas in 1866 and included prayer meetings, singing of spirituals, and wearing new clothes to symbolize freedom. Over the years, the tradition spread across the United States, with celebrations featuring educational events, family gatherings, and cultural festivities.

In 1980, Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday, and in 2021, it was designated a federal holiday by President Joe Biden, reflecting its growing recognition and importance.

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