Although the holiday will be commemorated tomorrow, today Juneteenth. On this date in 1865, the slaves of Texas got word that they were finally free, some two years after Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the Civil War ended.
This date was first declared a Federal holiday last year. The law making it a Federal holiday stipulates that if it falls on a weekend, it will be observed on the Friday before or Monday following, whichever is closer. So, the first two observances of Juneteenth have resulted in three-day weekends!
In any event, there are a number of "Freedom Rides." I plan to ride, possibly with others who are observing the holiday--and to attend a dinner with some friends.
From BikePortland
