For the first time since 2017, West Virginia will not host a Juneteenth event today.

Last month, Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed the measure that ended diversity, equity and inclusion in state government and education programs.

In addition, deputy press secretary Drew Galang told the Associated Press “Due to the continued fiscal challenges facing West Virginia, state government will not be sponsoring any formal activities.”

Fair enough, but the federal holiday is still an important time to reflect on all of our country’s history. The observance marks the anniversary of the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, June 19, 1865, in Texas.

It has been celebrated to one degree or another since 1866. But this year’s celebrations are likely to be more scaled down, as loss of corporate sponsorships and changes in state laws have forced organizers to switch gears.

On Sept. 25, 2020, President Donald Trump’s campaign released “The Platinum Plan for Black Americans: Opportunity, Security, Prosperity and Fairness.” Juneteenth was part of that plan.

At the time, Trump had hoped “his plan will increase access to capital, fuel Black owned businesses, cut taxes, increase education opportunities, lower the cost of healthcare, further criminal justice reform, make Juneteenth a National Holiday, prosecute the KKK and ANTIFA as terrorist organizations, and make lynching a national hate crime,” according to that press release.

Less than a year later, Juneteenth did become a national holiday.

Given the tensions of recent years, it’s worth taking today to reflect on the rest of those hopes, too.

One does not need a corporate sponsorship to understand what a monumental shift June 19, 1865, was for this country and its people; or to use it as an opportunity to think about how far we’ve come — and how far we have to go.