Cities across Arkansas are celebrating a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States.
The celebration, called Juneteenth, celebrates June 19, 1865 -- the day Union soldiers carried news of the end of slavery and the Civil War to Galveston, Texas.
Though President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, the news about it did not reach Galveston until 2 1/2 years later.
Today, close to 500 celebrations are held in the United States every year to mark this occasion, including several in Arkansas.
The Little Rock Juneteenth celebration is being hosted by the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center on June 21.
"It's an independence day in a sense," said Tameka Lee, director of community relations for the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. "It's a time for reflection, but also moving forward."
Freedom Summer, a documentary about the work of civil rights activists in Mississippi during the summer of 1964, will premiere during the celebration.
The event will also include historical exhibits, including one entitled Arkansas African American Legislators, as well as traditional festival activities such as vendors, live music and games.
"We're making sure we're tying in that historical aspect without making it feel like you're sitting in a lecture," Lee said.
Several Arkansas cities are hosting multiday festivals, including Wilmar, Magnolia, Rison and Camden.
Wilmar boasts the state's oldest Juneteenth celebration, a three-day event called June Dinner, said Toni Perry, co-president of the city's Juneteenth Association.
"It's like a homecoming for the citizens of Wilmar," she said. "There are people visiting and talking and moving about."
In 2005, Arkansas legislators passed a bill recognizing the third Saturday in June as Juneteenth Independence Day. Arkansas is one of 43 states to set a day marking Juneteenth.
Members of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation are working to get legislation passed in the remaining seven states, said foundation chairman Dr. Ronald Myers.
Myers said the group is also lobbying Congress and the White House to make Juneteenth Independence Day a national day of observance.
This year, Juneteenth celebrations are being held in at least 11 Arkansas cities:
Camden
June 20 -- 6 p.m., Banquet at Tiven Rest Annex Building. June 21 -- 10 a.m., Parade and festival at Cohen Park. June 22 -- 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Car show at Cohen Park.
Conway
June 21 -- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Forum on community issues and live music at a location to be determined.
El Dorado
June 14 -- 12 p.m.-10 p.m., Mega Extreme Car Show, games and activities, live music at Mattocks Park.
Forrest City
June 20 -- 6 p.m.--11:30 p.m., Motivational speakers, dinner at Civic Center.
Little Rock
June 21 -- 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Screening of Freedom Summer, historical exhibits, live music at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
Magnolia
Today -- 8 a.m., 3-on-3 Hoopfest at South Side Park; 10 a.m., Parade; 11 a.m., Festival at South Side Park.
Marianna
June 14 -- 8:30 a.m., Prayer Breakfast at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, and 11:30 a.m., Festival at Anna Strong Middle School.
North Little Rock
June 14 -- 9 a.m., Motivational speakers, games and activities, free food and drinks at Sherman Park Recreation Center.
Springdale
June 14 -- 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Vendors, health fair, history displays at Murphy Park.
Rison
June 13 -- 7 p.m., Gospel sing at Powell Park; June 14 -- 10 a.m., Parade; 11 a.m., Ceremony including speakers and gospel music at Powell Park. Vendors and exhibits all day until about 4 p.m.
Wilmar
June 19 -- Bonfire and DJ at sunset at the old school grounds on South 7th Street; June 20, 5 p.m., Blues Night at the old school grounds; June 21, 10 a.m.-midnight, Vendors, motorcycle burnout, parade, talent expose at the old school grounds.
Metro on 06/07/2014