History of Juneteenth: Emancipation Day

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Note: I first posted this article in 2016. It’s seems appropriate to post it again in light of the fact is was made a national holiday. – Dianne Hermann

 

June 19th is a holiday called Juneteenth. Not widely known or understood outside the black community, its historical significance is unquestioned.

Juneteenth is the oldest commemoration in the United States celebrating of the end of slavery. It is not, as many think, the anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln. That was January 1, 1863.

Word of emancipation marking the end of slavery was slow to reach parts of the U.S. not deeply embroiled in the Civil War. In fact, it wasn’t until 1865 that word reached Texas. Major General Gordon Granger and his regiment of Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, on June 19th with news that the Civil War had ended and that all blacks were free.

If you do the math, you’ll find that Major General Granger brought the news of freedom to Texas a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Reasons for the long delay vary from deliberate and intentional to accidental and a result of poor communication.

Granger read aloud General Order Number 3 which said, “The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”

News of freedom from slavery was met with every emotion from shock to joy to disbelief. Some freed black slaves stayed in Texas, while others left in search of family members or a better life in neighboring states.

Juneteenth celebrations waned over the years until the rise of the Civil Rights movement a century later. After the Poor Peoples March to Washington, DC in 1968, many blacks went back to their communities and initiated Juneteenth celebrations.

Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday in 1980 largely through the efforts of state legislator Al Edwards of Houston. This marked the first emancipation celebration that was granted official state recognition.

June 19th was just made a national holiday. Congress hurried through the legislation, barely making it in time for this year’s celebration. It’s the first passage of a national holiday since Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday was made a holiday in 1983.

Still largely an African American holiday, coordinators of Juneteenth celebrations seek to bring in all members of the local community for educational purposes. The holiday is often observed with speeches, cookouts, parades, and parties.

American history is complex. Recognizing the intricacies and nuances of our diverse shared histories, I believe, makes us a stronger nation. While so many people are trying to tear us apart and divide us into groups, we should be embracing what we all have in common. We are all Americans.

God bless America.

 

Addendum: Juneteenth is recognized in every state except for Hawaii, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Although many Juneteenth celebrations and events are planned for June 19, 2021, some may be restricted by the COVID-19 guidelines and recent riots. Check your local city events calendar.

 

Image from: aclib.us


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GuvGeek
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GuvGeek
2 years ago

The Emancipation Proclamation did not end Slavery in the United States. Basically, it only ended Slavery in the Southern States. It wasn’t until the ratification of the 13th Amendment on 6 Dec 1865 that Slavery in the United States was officially ended. But, there is a loop hole in the 13th Amendment. Technically, someone can indeed become a slave as punishment for a crime. We have to put Slavery in context. Throughout over 8,000 years of recorded history there has been slavery. There is still slavery today. Slavery is not new and it wasn’t created by the United States. The United States was at the forefront of ending Slavery Worldwide. Unfortunately, the Communist Democrats now in power are not very keen on the abolition of Slavery, Democrats never have been. The Democrats allow Illegal Aliens to flood across our borders. They become defacto Slave labor on California Farms and in the Prostitution trade. American Corporations are allowed to go overseas and use Slave Labor in places like China while Democrats turn a blind eye to the Practice. When someone tells me they are a “Proud Democrat” all I see is a scumbag who has no problem with Slavery!

Still the Meanest
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Still the Meanest
2 years ago

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were executed on that day.
Today they would be promoted to the top of CPUSA hierarchy for indispensable contributions to the Long March.