Juneteenth is the one of the oldest known commemorations related to the abolition of slavery in the United States. The word “Juneteenth” is a Black English contraction, or portmanteau, of the month “June” and the date “Nineteenth.” Juneteenth celebrates the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people of African descent located in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom from the slavery system in the United States. Freedom was granted through the Emancipation Proclamation signed on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln. Texas was the farthest of the Confederate states, and slaveholders there made no attempt to free the enslaved African Americans they held in bondage. This meant that President Lincoln’s proclamation was unenforceable without military intervention, which eventually came nearly 2.5 years later.
From 1865 forward, the day has held special meaning for people of African descent in the United States. Juneteenth continues to be celebrated in cities with Black populations through a series of parades, family reunions, speeches, and consuming of specific foods with a red color including barbeque, watermelon (an African fruit), and “red soda water” (primarily strawberry soda). The use of the color red in ceremonies is a practice that enslaved West Africans brought to the United States. Contemporary food items that maintain this cultural connection include kola nut tea and hibiscus tea, also known as bissap in the Caribbean or jamaica (ha-MY-kah) in Latin America; both areas received large shipments of West African slaves. Strawberry soda is the contemporary replacement of these teas in US Juneteenth celebrations. Juneteenth is an important date on the timeline of slavery history in the United States.- National Park Service
Additionally, June is African American Music Appreciation Month which was created by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. This month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage. In partnership with the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, Louisiana then New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is bringing you 11 days of virtual music featuring Don Vappie and the Creole Serenaders from June 19 to June 27, the "No Tears Suite" on June 28, and the grammy nominated Cha Wa on June 30.
(All Performances will air at 2PM CST)
Don Vappie & the Creole Serendars
June 19 "High Society"
June 20 "Riverside Blues"
June 21 Music Monday: "Dipper Mouth Blues"
June 22 "Canal St. Blues"
June 23 "Snake Rag"
June 24 "Nelson Stomp"
June 25 "Snag It!"
June 26 "Deep Henderson"
June 27 "St. James Infirmary Blues"
Don Vappie and the Creole Serenaders recorded songs that Joe "King" Oliver, a key historical figure in the beginnings of Jazz, made famous throughout the 1920's. "King" Oliver was a mentor to Louis Armstrong and pioneer of what would become known as the Harmon trumpet mute. One of his most famous and influential ensemble, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, was a live sensation and also the first black New Orleans ensemble to gain recognition in the record industry.
