In honor of those who were freed from slavery in 1865, the Scotland County NAACP Youth Council will hold its 2010 Juneteenth Program at Nazareth Baptist Church in Wagram at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Hurley B. Williams, Jr., pastor of Nashville Missionary Baptist Church in Marston.

"We want to give acknowledgment to those who made the way for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today in America, 'we' being all people," NAACP Youth Council adviser and Event Organizer Rena McNeill said. "When rights are taken from one group of people it detracts from the totality of the whole, because it diminishes the strengths of the entire society."

Juneteenth originated as a commemoration of the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state of Texas in 1865. An official state holiday in Texas since 1980, the day is recognized in 36 states, including North Carolina, as either a state holiday or as a state holiday observance.

"Although Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, slaves in Texas and in other areas of the South heard only rumors that they were free," McNeill said. "Union General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 18, 1865, and on June 19 he announced to the slaves in the fields that they were no longer in bondage."

The now former slaves in Galveston were said to have "rejoiced in the streets" at the news. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year.

Williams said that his speech will reflect on both the emancipation of 1865 and on the need to complete the process in modern times.

"I will be looking at the plight of those who were freed on that day long ago, as well as looking at the state of affairs today," he said. "There is still a need for emancipation in various ways, shapes and forms in modern society as well."

Williams said that it is important for all Americans to celebrate the message of Juneteenth.

"The original Juneteenth celebration represented a 'final declaration' of emancipation," he said, "and it is important that we as Americans continue to look to freedom, justice, and liberty for all. This symbolic day is important for all Americans to consider."

The Rev. Darrell "B.J." Gibson of Nazareth Baptist Church expressed pleasure that the Juneteenth celebration would be recognized.

"It is commendable that the youth of Scotland County are participating in this important tradition," Gibson said. "So many communities do not recognize this day, but Ms. McNeill remains faithful. I encourage all to support this important occasion."

Juneteenth festivities often include activities such as singing, poetry readings, dancing, and / or a public reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.

"The NAACP Youth Council has attempted to start a local tradition during the last six years of bringing greater recognition to this important event in American and black history," McNeill said. "We hope that everyone will join with us to celebrate this important national event to mark the freedom of all Americans."