Cheers rang through the streets of Galveston, Texas, that fateful June 19, nearly 150 years ago.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in 1863, those in Western states had either not heard about the law, or it wasn't enforced until Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger exclaimed the news in 1865.

The June commemoration is sometimes celebrated in lieu of the Fourth of July, Black Student Alliance President Dominick Quinney said.

"It's a celebration of independence," he said. "Not everyone celebrates July Fourth as the marking of their independence. It's a unique way of celebrating independence among African Americans."

Michigan's Juneteenth celebration kicked off Thursday, and individual cities are holding festivities throughout the weekend, said Marilyn Plummer, an organizer for Thursday's event and Lansing's festivities.

"Traditionally, it's like an African American Fourth of July," Plummer said. "There will be something for the food and music and what it stands for."

Lansing's celebrations begin today at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Park with an Old Negro League Baseball Game.

Events continue Saturday at 11 a.m. with opening ceremonies and youth-oriented programs. At 2 p.m. the 102nd U.S. Colored Troop Company B & Andre will conduct the opening march as part of the keynote program, and Grammy-nominated singer Betty Joplin will perform at night. Many other events fill out the day, including poetry readings, gospel singing, step dancing and a cakewalk.

This is the second year that the holiday has been officially recognized by the state, but Lansing has been celebrating Juneteenth for 13 years, Plummer said. She said planning started in August for the event and many people are expected to attend.

Sen. Martha Scott, D-Highland Park, sponsored the bill that cemented Juneteenth as an official holiday in Michigan.

"It's important because we all have to know our past, where we came from and how we got where we are today," she said. "I think in order for anyone to move forward, they need to know what their past is, other than just what's happening today."

The legislation passed unopposed through the House, Scott said.

"That was the great part about it," she said. "Everyone will celebrate with us, and that's not always easy to get everyone to support a bill."

In Galveston in the late 1800s, ex-slaves continued to celebrate their freedom every June 19 with food, dance, singing and many other celebratory actions. The events were also used to educate the former slaves about individual rights and organizing politically.

Scott said today's celebrations mirror those of yesteryear.

"It really reiterates what they did back then, and that was just to eat lots of food and celebrate and dance and sing," she said. "It's just a real big celebration."

In the past, Juneteenth gatherings were prohibited from being celebrated on public grounds by governments and were held in privately owned facilities. Today, Texas boasts a paid holiday in honor of Juneteenth. Establishing the holiday has been a state-by-state endeavor, and nearly 20 states now recognize Juneteenth.

In spite of not knowing about their freedom until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Scott said ex-slaves concentrated on celebrating the news rather than becoming upset.

"They never had that kind of anger," she said. "We've been glad and just celebrated. We were not taught hatred or any of that."

The third Saturday of June was designated to celebrate the holiday when Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed it into law May 31, 2005.

"It just finally happened, so it really puts the icing on the cake when it's the day we honor our past," Scott said.

State Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing, helped institute the holiday and said it's a time to look back.

"We remember that part of history, and we remember those who helped make America what it is," he said. "It's a great celebration. It's all part of an effort to bring an awareness to the capital city and the state of Michigan."

Although Juneteenth celebrations are occurring in Ann Arbor, Flint, Jackson and elsewhere in the state, many people don't know about the holiday or its origin.

Quinney said awareness is a continuous effort.

"There's still a lot of work that needs to be done," he said. "It's an underrepresented holiday, but it still represents American history. It's a part of our history, and we need to celebrate it and understand it and learn from it."

Murphy said it's going to take time for the holiday to become well-known, but progress is being made.

Some states are working toward Juneteenth acknowledgment utilizing the same legislation used here, Murphy said.

There is also a movement in progress to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

"It's growing in awareness," he said. "It's going to take years before it's known nationwide in the same way we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. It took from the time he was assassinated in 1968 until the late '80s — it was almost a generation. So it's going to take time for the American public to know about Juneteenth."

Scott said the state's proclamation of the holiday has added to its awareness.

"More people know about it now," she said. "We'll continue until everyone knows about it."

Laura Misjak can be reached at misjakla@msu.edu.