BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Thousands gathered around the state, including in Bellingham, to celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday.
The just-declared national holiday marks and celebrates June 19th, 1865, the day slaves in Texas were told they were free two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was established.
Hundreds gathered in nice weather in Bellingham’s Maritime Heritage Park for the celebration.
Juneteenth becomes an official state holiday in Washington next year.