Juneteenth celebration at the park! Friday, June 26th from 8:15 pm until 11:00 pm.  Commissioner Rory Hoskins and the Forest Park Youth Commission hosted a free family pool party in honor of Juneteenth! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.  Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.  It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.