Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Raising Flag at State Capitol in Celebration of Juneteenth for Seventh Year in a Row
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #299, raising the Juneteenth Flag at the Wisconsin State Capitol for the seventh year in a row in celebration of Juneteenth. Gov. Evers also proclaimed June 19, 2026, as “Juneteenth” throughout the state of Wisconsin. Video of the flag raising was live streamed on the governor’s YouTube Channel.
“Juneteenth is a reminder that, even in our darkest hours, the human spirit cannot be silenced, and freedom will always triumph, and today, that truth remains as important as ever,” said Gov. Evers. “Especially at a time when there are those who would rather rewrite history than learn from it and try to sow division and hate, we must remember that there is more that unites us than divides us and that our diversity is our strength—it always has been. So, as we celebrate the critical progress we have made, we also commit to continuing our work to build a more just, more equitable, and freer state and country for all.”
On June 19, 1865, more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to declare the end of slavery, freeing the 250,000 people who continued to be enslaved there. Now, more than 160 years later, June 19 has been known as Juneteenth and is one of the oldest and most popular annual commemorations of the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
In 2020, Gov. Evers ordered the Juneteenth Flag to be flown at the State Capitol for the first time in state history. Juneteenth is formally recognized and celebrated in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with Wisconsin joining as the 32nd state to recognize this day in 2009.
The Juneteenth Flag features a star to represent Texas, the Lone Star State; a nova, or new star, representing a new beginning and the freedom of African Americans; the curve on the flag dividing the red and blue colors representing a “new horizon” and a future of “opportunities and promise” for Black Americans; and red, white, and blue colors, reminding us that people who were enslaved and their descendants shall be “forever free.”
The Juneteenth Flag will temporarily replace the Progress Pride Flag from Wednesday, June 17, until sunset on Sunday, June 21, in celebration of Juneteenth, but will otherwise not disrupt other flags that regularly fly over the State Capitol building. The U.S. flag and Wisconsin state flag will continue flying on the East Wing flagpole above the Juneteenth Flag. The POW-MIA flag will continue flying on the North Wing flagpole as it does every day.
Executive Order #299 is in effect beginning Wed., June 17, 2026, until sunset on Sun., June 21, 2026.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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