Juneteenth is a significant day in history that originated in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people were finally informed of their emancipation. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, it took time for slavery to end in all places, particularly those still under Confederate control. President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation on January 1, 1863, marked the initial step towards freedom, but it was not until June 19, 1865, that about 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and announced the freedom of more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans in the state.
Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. Major General Gordon Granger, the commanding officer of the District of Texas, announced the executive decree that declared all slaves in Texas to be free. This historic moment was documented in General Order No. 3, which emphasized the equal rights of former slaves and their former masters, transitioning their relationship to that of employer and hired labor.
The significance of Juneteenth has grown over the years, evolving from a local celebration to a national observance. The holiday’s name is a combination of “June” and “nineteenth” and is celebrated annually with parades, readings, processions, and other community events. In 1979, the Galveston Juneteenth Committee initiated an annual Juneteenth Celebration, focusing on prayer, reflection, and community leadership.
The state of Texas officially recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday in 1980, and in 2006, a statue commemorating the reading of General Order No. 3 was erected in Galveston. President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021, making June 19 a legal public holiday. This year, June 19, 2023, will mark the 158th anniversary of Juneteenth, now known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Juneteenth is also referred to as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day. It is one of the eleven permanent federal holidays in the United States, alongside Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. The legacy of Juneteenth continues to be celebrated and remembered as a pivotal moment in American history, honoring the end of slavery and the resilience of the African American community.