Ill. celebrates end of slavery with 'Juneteenth'

Posted: 06.18.2010 at 10:19 AM

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- Illinois officials are celebrating "Juneteenth" - the day set aside to remember the end of slavery in America.

Gov. Pat Quinn plans to mark the day at the DuSable Museum of African American History.

He'll honor the founder of the museum.

Officials also plan songs, poetry and speeches during an event at the Thompson Center in Chicago.

Juneteenth traces its history back to the day that slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned the Civil War had ended and they were free.

Officially, the anniversary is June 19th, but officials are celebrating a day early, on Friday the 18th.

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