Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth, observed June 19th, is a significant holiday in American history, symbolizing the end of slavery and the enduring struggle for freedom and equality. Officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, this holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when Major General Gordan Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

The history of Juneteenth traces back to June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers landed in Galveston with news that the Civil War had ended and those enslaved were now free. This was a profound moment for Texas as the news came two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The arrival of Granger’s troops marked the final enforcement of the executive order, symbolizing the end of legalized slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is celebrated in various ways across the United States, with communities celebrating with festivities like parades and festivals, educational events, art and music, and family gatherings. We can celebrate Juneteenth and demonstrate Argonne’s Core Values of RESPECT for our African American coworkers and their contributions to the nation; IMPACT on the relationships between African Americans and other ethnic groups in fostering a more inclusive environment; and TEAMWORK as we work to build alliances across communities and with one another.  By Keva Gildon, Employee Relations

We would like to share the following two videos about the origins of Juneteenth and why this now a federal holiday.

Select the link below to learn about Juneteenth celebrations events happening around Chicago:  Juneteenth 2024 Celebration Events | Diversity & Inclusion | The University of Chicago (uchicago.edu)

 

The Ninth Annual Taste of AAA-ERG

Experience a unique lunchtime event at the Ninth Annual Taste, where you can savor the culinary creations of AAA-ERG’s talented amateur chefs.

The mouthwatering selections will include the crispy delight of fried catfish the flavorful kick of jerk chicken and the savory comfort of chicken sausage. A variety of side dishes, delicious desserts, and a few tasty surprises.

 

Meal Ticket: $15.00 (one meat selection, two sides, a dessert, and a beverage.)
Taste Single-Item Ticket: $3.00
Beverages: $1.00

Tickets sold in the cafeteria lobby 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, M-F starting June 3rd.

Payment accepted: Cash, Zelle or Venmo

We chose to bring the Taste of AAA-ERG back this year on June 19th to commemorate the Juneteenth federal holiday in recognition of the longest-running African American holiday. Please come out to enjoy the food and celebration. Proceeds generated by this event will be used to help fund our annual HS STEM scholarships and amenities for our ACT-SO/ARP.  Outside of annual fundraisers you can always support our HS scholarships by providing a donation here at our GoFundMe  page.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 2024

https://thekingcenter.org/king-holiday-2024/

Recognized as one of history’s most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work continues to inspire communities to come together and elevate doing good through service.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Every third Monday in January, good people across the country come together to lean into MLK’s legacy and observe the MLK Day of Service as a “day on,” rather than not a “day off.”

  1. Put Your Talents To Practice With Skilled Volunteering: To help fulfill their missions, nonprofits rely on support from volunteers year-round. That support can be in the form of single days of service, like MLK Day, or pro bono projects that tap into the talents of professionals.
  2. Help Protect And Restore Our Environment: While we know volunteering feels good, we now have data to prove its physical and emotional benefits. Study conducted with UnitedHealthcare found that three out of four adults feel physically healthier after volunteering, with nine in ten noting an improved mood.
  3. Become A Community Leader: Before his March on Washington, MLK’s movement for equality began at the local level — among his neighbors and community. Volunteering locally is a great way to meet new people, spark conversation and lean into MLK’s legacy. (“3 WAYS TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. THROUGH VOLUNTEERING| Basil Sadiq at Just Means”) 3 Ways to Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Volunteering – Giving Compass

Explore the links for below for service opportunities and Chicagoland MLK Day events 2024.

Service and Civic Engagement Opportunities | MLK Celebration | The University of Chicago (uchicago.edu)

15 Ways You Can Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day In Chicago This Year (blockclubchicago.org)

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service | AmeriCorps  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others?” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.