 Juneteenth commemorates the 1865 announcement of the ending of slavery. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the proclamation in September 1862, effective in January 1863, it took about TWO years before word of the change spread to Texas, records show. Juneteenth - Last day of slavery in America.
On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston, Texas, bringing news to the town that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. This was nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Before long, the former slaves in southeastern Texas began to celebrate June 19th as Emancipation Day. Eventually, they shortened the name to Juneteenth. >>>How do you celebrate Juneteenth? Comments are closed.
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