The Ujima Cultural Heritage of Learning Center in Quitman observed Juneteenth Thursday.

Director Annis Collins says knowing the past helps all people move forward.

The center invited Newscenter 11 meteorologist Brian Hutton, Jr., to be the featured speaker.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

"This is an African American history and culture center. But we focus on everybody's history, because African American history is everybody's history," said Collins.

Collins says the center is already planning a big celebration for Juneteenth in 2013.