By Luana M. Graves Sellars
A Gullah Christmas
Click here to read about how the Gullah Geechee prepared to celebrate A Gullah Christmas.
Decoration Day
Known as the first organized recognition of soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our country, Decoration Day was held in Charleston, SC in May of 1865.
Freedom Day | Exploring the Families of Historic Mitchelville is an epic documentary that explores the journey to freedom through the stories and conversations of the descendants of the way makers in Mitchelville. On this journey, you will meet the Aiken, Brown, Burke, Jones, and Lawyer families that have called Hilton Head Island for nearly 200 years. In addition to those families, you will find out how Harriet Tubman and the American Red Cross’s Clara Barton contributed to the success of Historic Mitchelville. Click here to watch the documentary.
Freedom’s Eve
Juneteenth
The holiday Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery and is the oldest and longest nationally celebrated holiday in the US. June 19th, otherwise known as Juneteenth or Black independence day marks the birth of freedom. The date is significant because the June 19, 1865 is when Texas, which was the last Confederate state to return to the Union’s control, which in turn, set the slaves free. Slaves in other states had already received word that they had been freed, however, recognition and organized celebrations didn’t really begin until slaves everywhere were free. Sadly, the majority of Americans don’t know or even recognize the importance of this date to our history. Not in just Black History, but an important milestone in American history and the birth of freedom.
Watch Night
Click here to read about the origins and importance of the Watch Night Service.
