Phyllis Yarber Hogan was our guest speaker.
Ms. Yarber Hogan was born and raised in Oberlin, she is a member
of the African American Genealogy and History Group and co-chair
of the Junteenth Committee.
Juneteenth or June 19, 1865 is considered the
date when the last slaves in America were freed. Slaves in Texas
were not notified until almost two years after the emancipation
proclamation was signed by President Lincoln. Juneteenth, the
weekend nearest June 19 th, has become a day to celebrate. Juneteenth
started in Texas and has been spreading across the country as
a day to be commemorated. Oberlin has held a festival for ten
years.
This year’s event will be June 16-18 in
honor of the United States Colored Troops. Approximately 180,000
African-Americans served in the Union Army during the Civil
War, both free blacks and runaway slaves joined the fight. They
served honorably, in spite of fact that discrimination in pay
and even basic benefits such as uniforms and meals was widespread.
