If you didn’t know, tomorrow (June 19) is Juneteenth, the oldest celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
It dates back to 1865; on June 19th, the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Gavelston, Texas with the news that the war was over and that the slaves were now free. However, this was two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation; it had become official January 1, 1863. Due to the small number of Union troops to enforce this new Executive Order, the Emancipation Proclamation had little influence on Texans.
When General Lee surrendered in April 1865 and General Granger’s regiment arrived, the forces were strong enough to influence and conquer the resistance.
Here are a few speculations about what caused the two year delay (none are known to be true):
- A messenger was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom.
- The news was intentionally withheld by slave masters so they could maintain the labor force on plantations.
- The federal troops actually waited for slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
Today, Juneteenth observes African-American freedom and highlights education and achievement and is marked with celebrations, speakers, picnics and family gatherings. Additionally, it’s a time for reflection and rejoicing, assessment, self-improvement and future planning.
For more info about Juneteenth, visit my source, Juneteenth.com.
Photo from: dioncommunications.com
in college a couple of orgs i was in would do a little juneteenth celebration. a lot of people don’t know about it, black or white.