Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day”, commemorates June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers into Galveston Texas announcing the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of African American slaves1. Notably, this was two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after Robert E. Lee surrendered2. Despite the jubilation, dancing and singing, many slaves remained in bondage by their owners who chose not to share the news- said wanting to get through another harvest to reap more wages3. Despite not being a federally recognized holiday, 45 of 50 U.S. States and the District of Columbia celebrate with official ceremonies, block parties, parades and baseball games4.
To learn more about Juneteenth, visit http://www.vonsteuben.org/ourpages/auto/2012/4/20/48945791/the%20case%20for%20reparations.pdf, http://www.nationaljuneteenth.com/History.html and http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/what-is-juneteenth.
1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/juneteenth-our-other-independence-day-16340952/
2. http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm
3. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/9-things-know-about-history-juneteenth-n594546
4. http://www.nationaljuneteenth.com/Juneteenth_Holiday.html