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Juneteenth Is Our Country’s Second Independence Day

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2 years ago

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On the evening of January 1, 1863, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered and all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. 

Juneteenth is our country’s second independence day. This occasion has been celebrated by African American communities for over 150 years. Yet some Americans are not aware of this monumental event. On June 17, 2021 a bill was signed making Juneteenth the 11th American federal holiday. Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19th. 

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Knickerbocker Ice Festival Returns to Rockland Lake State Park January 23–25

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2 weeks ago

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January 3, 2026

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After more than a decade “on ice,” the beloved Knickerbocker Ice Festival is making its long-awaited return to Rockland Lake State Park from January 23–25, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Rockland Lake’s extraordinary beauty and history.

Once the epicenter of a global ice-harvesting industry, Rockland Lake supplied massive blocks of crystal-clear ice that traveled to far-flung destinations including London, Australia, Asia, and South Africa. That remarkable legacy comes to life once again during this immersive winter festival.

Visitors will be amazed as towering ice sculptures—celebrating both local and national heritage—are carved live by some of the nation’s finest ice sculptors. Guests can also watch igloos being built from snow made right on site. As dusk falls, festivalgoers can warm themselves, meet neighbors, and gather around glowing campfires, culminating in the unforgettable sight of an ice chimney bonfire lighting up the winter sky.

Just as no fine dining establishment or luxury hotel of New York City’s Gilded Era would serve anything other than Knickerbocker Ice harvested from Rockland Lake, today’s Hudson Valley residents are invited to shed their winter blues, embrace community spirit, and take part in this unique celebration.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can stroll the park while watching sculptures take shape, exploring historic images of Rockland Lake through the decades, and enjoying warmth from campfires and a variety of food trucks.

At the park’s northern pavilion, guests will find large-scale enlargements of historic postcards showcasing Rockland Lake’s storied past. Adding to the experience, incredibly rare footage filmed by Thomas Edison—projected ten feet tall—will depict every stage of ice harvesting at Rockland Lake more than 125 years ago, offering a breathtaking glimpse into the lives and labor of earlier generations.

🎟️ Free admission | 🚗 Parking: $10

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Happy New Year: Wishing all of Rockland County a safe, healthy, and prosperous year ahead

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3 weeks ago

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December 31, 2025

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As we welcome the New Year, The Rockland Report extends its heartfelt wishes to all residents of Rockland County for a year filled with good health, good fortune, and meaningful moments shared with family and friends.

As we celebrate and reflect on the year behind us, we encourage everyone to enjoy New Year’s Eve responsibly and safely. Please look out for one another, make smart choices, and help ensure that the start of 2026 is a safe and positive one for our entire community.

Thank you for allowing us to serve and inform you throughout the year. We wish you and your families a happy, healthy, and safe New Year.

— The Rockland Report

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