On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now free. This was two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, but since Texas was a Confederate state, many slaves had yet to hear the good news. On June 19th, we commemorate Juneteenth – Freedom Day – as the day when African Americans in Texas finally received their freedom. In this blog post, we will discuss the history of Juneteenth and what it means for us today.
Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Jubilee Day. It marks the day that slavery finally came to an end in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were now free. This was two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Which declared that all slaves were to be freed. However, the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to states that were in rebellion against the United States. Texas was not one of those states, so the news of freedom did not reach the slaves there until Juneteenth.
Everything You Need To Know About Juneteenth
For many years, Juneteenth was only celebrated by African Americans. It wasn’t until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s began gaining mainstream attention. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Juneteenth, which is now celebrated by people of all races and backgrounds.
The holiday of Juneteenth is celebrated in a variety of ways. Some people spend the day with family and friends, attending cookouts or picnics. Others use the day as an opportunity to learn more about African American history and culture. There are also many community events that take place on Juneteenth, such as parades, concerts, and festivals.
It’s A Federal Holiday
In 2021, President Joe Biden decided to sign a piece of legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. This happened following the massive lootings ahead of several police controversies with African Americans in 2020. With a notable increase in celebrations for a holiday in the past few years across the United States. Juneteenth marks a new holiday to commemorate African Americans and their place in history.
Juneteenth Began Back in 1872
Gordon Granger, a Union general, arrived in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, about two months after Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Va., to inform enslaved African Americans of their freedom and that the Civil War had ended. General Granger’s announcement put into effect President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, issued nearly two and a half years earlier, on January 1, 1863.
Early celebrations included prayer, family gatherings, and later, annual pilgrimages to Galveston by formerly enslaved people and their families.
In 1872, a group of Houston African American ministers and businessmen purchased ten acres of land and established Emancipation Park to host the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
Juneteenth Today
Today, while some celebrations occur in backyards among families. With food as an integral component, some cities, such as Atlanta and Washington, hold more significant events, including parades and festivals with residents, local businesses, and more. While the coronavirus pandemic dampened celebrations in 2020 and 2021, some cities are moving ahead with plans this year.
Galveston has remained a busy site for Juneteenth events over the years.
Moreover, Galveston will celebrate the holiday with a banquet, poetry festival, parade, and picnic in 2022 after dedicating a 5,000-square-foot mural last year. Atlanta organizers plan a parade and music festival at Centennial Olympic Park. And also similar events are planned for Baltimore, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. With this, we are wrapping things up concerning this important day in modern contemporary history in the United States of America here at Otakukart. Thanks for your attention. Catch us back on our main website to see what else is going on in the entertainment world, and see you soon. Happy Juneteenth!
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