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Kentucky Governor Pardons 43, Declares Juneteenth 2026 National Freedom Day

6/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Governor Andy Beshear posthumously pardoned 43 Kentuckians on the eve of Juneteenth and named June 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kentucky.
He said the pardons correct a historical wrong and clear the names of the individuals and families.
The signing ceremony featured historian James Prichard and Rev. Andrew Baskin of Berea College.
Pardoned individuals included Elijah Anderson, who aided about 1,000 escapes.

History

Historical Context

Lincoln’s January 1 1863 Emancipation Proclamation freed more than 3.5 million enslaved people in rebelling states, a step completed by the 13th Amendment in December 1865 and commemorated each June 19 as Juneteenth. In June 2026, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, with historian James Prichard and Rev. Andrew Baskin, pardoned 43 posthumous Civil-War era inmates and officially named Juneteenth National Freedom Day, extending that legacy.

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Story summary

Governor Andy Beshear posthumously pardoned 43 Kentuckians on the eve of Juneteenth and named June 19, 2026 Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kentucky.
He said the pardons correct a historical wrong and clear the names of the individuals and families.
The signing ceremony featured historian James Prichard and Rev. Andrew Baskin of Berea College.
Pardoned individuals included Elijah Anderson, who aided about 1,000 escapes.

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