The City of Minot will host the community’s first-ever Juneteenth event in commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

The Minot Juneteenth Observance Committee, a group of local residents, will lead the celebration on June 19 in front of City Hall. It is scheduled to begin at noon.

Minot City Council Vice President Lisa Olson will welcome participants to the event, which also includes a guest speaker, a poetry reading, a flag raising and the reading of a Juneteenth proclamation.

“We’re happy to assist in making Minot’s first celebration of Juneteenth a reality,” said Mayor Shaun Sipma. “Juneteenth isn’t officially recognized by the state of North Dakota, but the Minot community has chosen to embrace and celebrate this important date in our nation’s history, and the City is proud to be part of this event.”

Juneteenth commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, and the overall emancipation of slaves throughout the former Confederate States of America. In 1997, the U.S. Congress officially passed legislation recognizing Juneteenth as Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

North Dakota is one of only four states that do not officially recognize Juneteenth as either a state holiday or a ceremonial day of observance. The other states are South Dakota, Hawaii and New Hampshire.