The History of Juneteenth

Many people think that slavery ended when President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In reality, it only applied to enslaved black people in states under Confederate control and non-slave-holding border states or rebel areas under Union control. Slavery continued in Texas due to the lack of a large-scale presence of Union troops, influencing enslavers outside the state to move there. Slavery in Texas continued for two and a half years. 

On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, marking the end of the Civil War. Though Lee surrendered, the Western Confederate Army did not surrender until June 2nd.

On June 19, 1865, General Granger led 2,000 troops to Galveston, Texas. General Granger read General Order No. 3 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."

His announcement led to the freedom of 250,000 enslaved black people. Unfortunately, some enslavers withheld this information, which delayed emancipation for some people. Delaware and Kentucky rejected Union efforts to end slavery and did not emancipate until several months after the ratification of the 13th amendment. California also kept 200-300 black people enslaved until the 13th amendment. 

In December 1865, the Secretary of State certified that the 13th amendment had been ratified by enough states, and it became law. To quote Hayes Turner “the 19th of June wasn’t the exact day the Negro was freed. But that’s the day they told them that they was free… And my daddy told me that they whooped and hollered and bored holes in trees with augers and stopped it up with [gun] powder and light and that would be their blast for the celebration”.

On June 19, 1866, Jubilee Day was created by the freed black people in Texas. Celebrations included religious sermons, the preservation of slave food delicacies, games, and new traditions. Though white people contested and forbade black people from public spaces in an attempt to end the celebration, black people gathered around lakes and rivers and eventually purchased celebration sites. Among those sites were Emancipation Park and Booker T. Washington Park. After much more pushback, black people migrated, and the celebration of freedom spread across the country. These celebrations eventually became known as Juneteenth.

Juneteenth isn’t just a celebration that signifies the end of slavery. The holiday represents the construction and reconstruction of black families, churches, businesses, and voluntary associations. In remembrance of our ancestors, we continue to celebrate the holiday that is said to be the oldest in Black American history. 

On June 17, 2021, just steps from where President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, President Joe Biden made history by signing legislation into law that made Juneteenth a federal holiday. What a way to let freedom ring.