The History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a historical holiday that's celebrated every June 19 in the state of Texas. It's unique name was created by shortening the date, "June 19th". Juneteenth is the oldest, most widely celebrated commemoration of the final ending of slavery in the United States. It's gained a great amount of prominence over the years, and it's now actually celebrated in other cities across the United States as well.

This holiday is referred to as being an "Independence Day" for African-Americans. Because, on June 19, in the year of 1865, Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston with his nearly two thousand Union troops. Granger's trip was an important mission. He was there to deliver an official message that would forever change countless lives. His message was known as "General Order Number 3" and it came directly from the President. In part, the order read, "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free..." Granger's announcement finally gave overdue freedom to the quarter of a million African-American who were still slaves. He also gave notice that the long fought Civil War had ended.

Actually, President Abraham Lincoln had put an end to slavery nearly two and a half years earlier in 1863 when he issued his Emancipation Proclamation. His directive began, "That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom..."