Illinois, a state rich with history and cultural significance, has played a crucial role in the journey toward African American liberation, a journey that Juneteenth commemorates. As a free state bordering slave states, Illinois was a critical player in the fight against slavery and for civil rights. The state’s unique position and its notable figures and events have significantly contributed to the spirit and history behind Juneteenth.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced General Order No. 3, declaring all enslaved people free, in accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln more than two years earlier. This day came to be known as Juneteenth and has since become a symbol of African American freedom and resistance.

On April 18, 1818, President James Monroe signed into law the Enabling Act, a pivotal moment in American history that set the stage for Illinois to achieve statehood later that year. This significant legislation marked a crucial step in the expansion of the United States and the establishment of the Illinois territory as a full-fledged member of the United States.

The Enabling Act granted authority to the people of Illinois to form a constitution and state government, thereby paving the way for their admission into the union. It was a testament to the spirit of democracy and self-governance that characterized the young nation during its westward expansion.

The Enabling Act provided the legal framework for Illinoisans to organize themselves and assert their right to statehood.

Following the enactment of the Enabling Act, the people of Illinois wasted no time in drafting a constitution. In August 1818, a constitutional convention convened in Kaskaskia, where delegates from across the territory deliberated and crafted a document that reflected their aspirations for statehood and self-determination.

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois officially became the 21^st state to join the union, with Shadrach Bond elected as the first governor. The state’s admission into the union was a cause for celebration, marking the culmination of years of effort and the beginning of a new chapter in Illinois’ history.

The significance of April 18, 1818 goes beyond the mere signing of a piece of legislation. It represents a milestone in the nation’s westward expansion and the fulfillment of the American promise of democracy and representation. The Enabling Act empowered the people of Illinois to shape their own destiny and contribute to the rich tapestry of the United States.

Today, as we reflect on the events of April 18, 1818, we are reminded of the enduring legacy of those early pioneers who forged a path for Illinois to become a state. Their vision and determination laid the foundation for the vibrant and diverse state that Illinois is today. The Enabling Act stands as a testament to the principles of democracy and self-governance that continue to define the American experience.

April 3 is National Walking Day! Physical activity is one of the best ways to live a healthier lifestyle and manage daily stressors one step at a time. Most of our days consist of sitting at work or school for eight hours, which can have negative consequences on our physical and mental health over time.

National Walking Day was established in 2007 by the American Heart Association and is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in April to encourage people to add more movement in their daily routines. All communities are invited to take a walk on this day – whether it be to work or at a local park – to experience the impact of this lifesaving activity. See below for how you can participate in Illinois.

Plainfield Park District Free Track Day: Plainfield

In honor of National Walking Day, the Prairie Fit Fitness Center is offering free use of their indoor walking track all day on April 3. Additionally, members have an opportunity to get one month of free track use when they purchase a track membership on this day.

April 2 is International Children’s Book Day! Since 1967, Children’s Book Day has been celebrated as a day to inspire a passion of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Schools, libraries and community organizations across the globe participate by bringing families together to read, promoting reading at an early age and raising awareness about the importance of literacy in molding the young minds of the future.

For centuries, the importance of reading has been taught in schools. Reading provides kids with a therapeutic effect and a sense of escapism and allows them to discover stories on their own terms in language they understand. Reading encourages kids to use their imagination, enhances language development, builds their vocabulary and reasoning skills, and can foster bilingualism when families read stories in their heritage language.

Kids can take today as an opportunity to learn about and read books by Illinois-based children’s book authors such as:

Mistie Psaledas. “The Truth About the Tooth” is a story about diversity, creativity and imagination of different tooth fairy legends.

Shel Silverstein. “Where the Sidewalk Ends” is a collection of poems and illustrations that explores themes of imagination, humans’ relationship with nature, and the divide between adulthood and childhood.

Gwendolyn Brooks. “Bronzeville Boys and Girls” is a collection of 34 poems that celebrate the joy of childhood in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood and beyond.

Kim Moldofsky. In “Amelia Earhart: A Graphic Novel,” readers discover some of Earhart’s incredible achievements before she disappeared on her attempted flight around the world.

These are just a few of the many great children’s books to be celebrated today. Join the festivities by picking up a new book or revisiting an old favorite!

It’s Women’s History Month! Despite all women have done for centuries, the first official celebration of women’s history wasn’t until 1982. Originally lasting just a week, the National Women’s History Project lobbied Congress to make the event a month long, succeeding in 1987 when the first “Women’s History Month” was celebrated.

This year’s theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” recognizing women who understand that we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our society and institutions.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, here are a few women who had a positive impact on Illinois:

Ida B. Wells: Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a journalist, activist, and researcher who battled sexism, racism and violence. After being forced to leave Memphis, TN, for being outspoken against lynching, she moved to Chicago. During the suffragist movement, she outwardly confronted white women who were apathetic about violence toward the Black community. Because of this stance, she was often ridiculed and ostracized by women’s suffrage organizations. Nevertheless, she remained active in the women’s rights movement and was a founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club which was created to address issues dealing with the intersection of women’s suffrage and civil rights.

Georgia Louise Harris Brown: Georgia Louise Harris Brown was an architect and engineer. She was the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Kansas with a degree in architecture and engineering and later she earned her architecture license in Illinois which made her the second Black woman to be a licensed architect in the U.S. During her career. Brown developed structural calculations for many well-known reinforced steel and concrete buildings that populate the Chicago skyline.

Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs:  Dr. Margaret Taylor Burroughs moved to Chicago when she was three. She was an activist through her art which focused on the idea that “skin color is just an over-emphasized minor difference among people.” One of her most famous poems was called “What shall I tell my children who are Black.” She was committed to education and prison reform and was able to combine these two passions by working in prisons for over 30 years helping the prisoners transform their lives through art and writing education.

Despite systemic hardships and setbacks, women have accomplished so many great things. Speaking out for civil rights, defying expectations by getting an education and bringing art and education to incarcerated people. This month, take the time to learn about how women have made history.