History of Juneteenth
Celebrating The End of Slavery

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration which commemorates the end of slavery. On June 19th in 1865 Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with news of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation became official two and a half years before General Granger reached Texas to inform the slaves of their freedom, on January 1, 1863. This news freed 250,000 slaves in Texas.

Why did it take so long for the news to reach Texan slaves? There are a number of explanations, one of which is that the messenger carrying the news to Texas was killed on his journey. Another account explains that the news was withheld by slave owners to maintain the status quo on the plantations. Enforcement of the new law was not to be found, thus enslavers defied the executive order. Yet another explanation tells that federal troops waited to mandate the release of slaves until plantation owners could harvest one last cotton crop.

Albeit belated, the news came to the people of Galveston when General Granger read General Order Number Three to the people of Texas, which stated: "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 personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere." Those who were formerly enslaved were now free, thus the celebration.

Large celebrations began with the deliverance of General Order Number 3 on June 19, 1866 and continued regularly into the early 20th century. Although there was great reason for their merriment, African-American people would soon have to confront a new world of challenges and pursue the mission of establishing a heretofore nonexistent status for Black people in America. The Emancipation Proclamation prompted many to leave their homes with nowhere to go. Some chose to go North, which seemed the logical place to go. Others left in search of family members in bordering states such as Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, where many set down roots and called home.

As African-Americans migrated and settled, Juneteenth celebrations multiplied. They had many reasons to celebrate, too. Former slaves had overcome many obstacles, and they and their families had made a giant step towards liberation. The celebration also served as a release from the growing pressures that African-Americans faced in a transforming society. In addition, the observance of Juneteenth gave further motivation to press on for racial equality. Some of the first Juneteenth celebrations were used to educate freed slaves about their rights as voters.

Juneteenth was, and is today, a time for reassurance, hope and celebration. For years after General Order Number Three was delivered, many traveled back to Galveston for Juneteenth celebrations, reuniting with family and former slaves. Juneteenth celebrated freedom and culture. It is a day which encouraged self-development, communication, networking and unification. This is when, in many parts of Texas, ex-slaves purchased land, or "Emancipation Grounds," for the Juneteenth and other African-American cultural gatherings. Some of these emancipation grounds include Emancipation Park in Houston purchased in 1872, as well as a purchase of thirty acres bought in Texas's Limestone County by The Nineteenth of June Association.

Celebration of Juneteenth declined, however, in the early 1900's due to economic and cultural forces. Eventually, the Emancipation Proclamation became known as the point at which slavery ended across the United States, ignoring the long delay of freedom that many slaves experienced in the southern-most points of the U.S. At this same time in America, The Great Depression was forcing families off of farms and into urban environments that did not welcome the celebration. In due course in the 1950's and 60's, Juneteenth experienced a resurgence in Texas and began to spread across the country. The Freedom Movement linked the history of their ancestors to today's African-Americans' struggles for racial equality. Student demonstrators in Atlanta wore Juneteenth Freedom buttons. At the 1968 Poor People's March in Washington D.C., Reverend Ralph Abernathy declared Juneteenth of a day of importance to people of all races, creeds, and economic statuses. Many of these activists returned home and initiated Juneteenth celebrations across the nation. In fact, two of today's largest Juneteenth celebrations are held in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

Twelve years later in Texas, Al Edwards, an African-American state legislator, pressed for the recognition of Juneteenth in his state. After much effort and dedication, "Emancipation Day in Texas" became a legal state holiday, effective January 1, 1980. Since that time, Edwards has actively sought to spread the knowledge and cultivation of Juneteenth and African-American culture and history across the United States.

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated in many ways: with rodeos, carnivals, barbecues, sports tournaments, parades, prayer services, and arts and crafts fairs. There is sometimes story-telling, there are community forums, thanksgiving ceremonies, and family reunions. At many Juneteenth celebrations, the festivities begin with the singing of "Lift Every Voice." Overall, the focus of most of today's Juneteenth celebrations is on education, history, self-improvement, and community.

For additional information on Juneteenth, or to find a Juneteenth Celebration near you, visit www.juneteenth.com.

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