“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

In June 1865, following the Civil War, the reunited United States made it illegal to own slaves.

In Houston, Texas, some citizens wanted to have an annual celebration of their emancipation, but city officials began crafting “Jim Crow” laws preventing them.

In 1872, Richard Allen, Richard Brock, Jack Yates, and Elias Dibble together bought 10 acres of parkland with $800. The men, led by Yates, were members of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. The land was named Emancipation Park.
The 10-acre Emancipation Park’s primary purpose was hosting community celebrations of what came to be known as Juneteenth.

This annual event celebrates the end of slavery and the beginning of all men living free.

As freed men and women from sin, we should praise God that we are free in Him and serve Him with a glad heart.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13