Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The history of Juneteenth dates back to June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, which proclaimed the freedom of all slaves in Texas.
The Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, but its enforcement was uneven across the Confederate states. Texas, in particular, was one of the last strongholds of slavery, and news of the Emancipation Proclamation had been deliberately withheld from enslaved individuals there.
It was on June 19, 1865, that General Granger's arrival in Galveston marked the effective end of slavery in Texas. Upon reading General Order No. 3, approximately 250,000 enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom. This event came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and about two months after the end of the Civil War, which had formally concluded with General Robert E. Lee's surrender in April 1865.
The newly freed African Americans in Texas rejoiced in their liberation and began to celebrate the date as "Juneteenth." The name itself is a combination of "June" and "nineteenth." Juneteenth celebrations initially centered in Texas, with community gatherings, parades, picnics, and religious services. These celebrations helped foster a sense of unity and community among the formerly enslaved people and their descendants.
Over time, Juneteenth spread to other parts of the United States as African Americans migrated to different regions. It became an occasion to celebrate freedom and reflect on the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout history. Despite its significance within the African American community, Juneteenth was not widely recognized or celebrated outside of Texas for many years.
However, in recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in Juneteenth, and efforts have been made to raise awareness about its historical importance. In 1980, Texas became the first state to establish Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Since then, many other states have followed suit, recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday or observance.
On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. The passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act marked a significant milestone in acknowledging and commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It is now a day to honor the legacy of enslaved African Americans, celebrate their freedom, and
