MILWAUKEE – Rainy weather didn’t stop Milwaukee leaders from raising the Juneteenth flag above the Zeidler Municipal Building Wednesday morning.
Milwaukee has one of the oldest and longest running Juneteenth celebrations in the nation, and to commemorate the holiday on Thursday, city officals raised the flag.
“We use this day to reflect on our history, to remember our ancestors and to rejuvenate ourselves for the fight that we still have ahead,” said Alderwoman Milele Coggs.
Thursday marks the 54th annual Juneteenth celebration in Milwaukee. The event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, between E Keefe Avenue and E Center Street.
“In this city we celebrate who we are. We celebrate our history,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Juneteenth was officially recognized by the state of Wisconsin in 2009. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
