During a recent government meeting, the village of Northbrook officially recognized June 19th as Juneteenth, commemorating the historical significance of this date in American history. The proclamation highlights that on June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the enforcement of President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, which had declared the freedom of enslaved individuals on January 1, 1863.

This recognition underscores the importance of Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in the fight for equality, marking Texas as the last state to acknowledge the end of slavery and the rights of former enslaved individuals. The village's proclamation serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward equality and justice in the United States.