Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years alter President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April 0£ 1865, and the arrival o£ General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt 0£ this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits o£ one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or neither of these version could he true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln’s authority over the rebellious states was in question for whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.

The reactions to this profound news ranged £rom pure shock to immediate jubilation. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would he their first grasp o£ freedom. North was a logical destination and for many it represented true freedom, while the desire to reach family members in neighboring states drove the some into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Settling into these new areas as free men and women brought on new realities and the challenges of establishing a heretofore non-existent
status for black people in America. Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in their new territory. The celebration of June 19th was coined “Juneteenth” and grew with more participation from descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for gathering remaining family members.

On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became an official Texas state holiday through the efforts of Al Edwards, an African American state legislator. The successful passage of this hill marked Juneteenth as the first emancipation celebration granted official state recognition. Edwards has since actively sought to spread the observance of Juneteenth all across America.

Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a phenomenal growth rate within communities and organizations throughout the country. All with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective,, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten.

While Texas remains the sole state to grant Juneteenth full state holiday status (meaning government employees have the day off), forty more states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated worldwide. The “Modern Juneteenth Movement., is active in campaigning and petitioning legislature to sanction Juneteenth the national holiday distinction. The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the awareness and community enthusiasm continues to grow.