Days of our Lives News Update: James Reynolds Talks About Juneteenth

Last Friday was Juneteenth — a day that Days of our Lives star James Reynolds, who has played (now) Mayor Abe Carver on and off the show since 1981, wants everyone to know about and understand why it is such an important date that everyone should celebrate it.

James Reynolds: The Importance Of Juneteenth

The Daytime Emmy-winning actor for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2018 recorded a video with his thoughts about it. “#Juneteenth is one of America’s most important dates. Learn about it. Celebrate it,” he wrote alongside the video.

“On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It took until June 19, 1865, Juneteenth, for that word to reach Texas when General Robert Granger announced that the slaves in Texas were now free. All the slaves in the states that were in rebellion against the United States of America were now free.

“My family was in Missouri,” he continued. “And they had been slaves for over 100 years and they found themselves in 1864 to be free men and women.” He goes on to share about they eventually made their way to what was to become their future home in Northeastern Kansas.

“Juneteenth is now celebrated as one of the great moments of American history, and I, like millions of other African American families trace their family history and the beginning of their existence as full American citizens to the Emancipation Proclamation and to Juneteenth.”

Reynolds received lots of support and love from his fellow co-stars, past and present, including Martha Madison (Belle), Thaao Penghlis (Tony), while Brandon Barash (Jake/Stefan) retweeted it.

Eileen Davidson (ex-Kristen/Susan; now Ashley on The Young and the Restless) wrote, “Jim, you are always such an inspiration. Always such a class act. Thank you for sharing this. I adore you ❤️❤️” Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.