Former state representative Al Edwards gives the closing comments during the 32nd Annual Honorable Al Edwards Juneteenth Emancipation Proclamation Reading and Prayer Breakfast on Saturday morning June 18, 2011 at Ashton Villa in Galveston, Texas. The annual event commemorates Union General Gordon Granger’s arrival in Galveston and his reading of “General Order No. 3″ from the balcony of Ashton Villa freeing all slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865. (AP Photo/The Galveston County Daily News, Kevin M. Cox)
It’s a day, a week and in some places celebrated for a whole month, Juneteenth that is.
Today is the official Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
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“In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today.†-www.Juneteenth.com
Today, celebrations are taking place all over the United States including family parties, guest speakers, memorials and parades. Not only is the public celebrating today, also famous institutions like the Smithsonian and the Henry Ford Museum are sponsoring special activities in honor of the day.
The observance of the African American Emancipation Day on this date, June 19th dates back to 1865 in Galveston. During this time, the Union soldiers landed in Texas with news that the war was over and that slaves were finally free. In Texas, General Granger read General Order Number Three which went a little something like this:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them that becomes that between employer and free laborer.â€
The anniversary of this day became a huge celebration throughout the United States, growing in popularity and reach each year. But the celebration took a surprising nosedive during the early 1900′s due to the Depression and other factors minimizing its importance. Did you think that would last long? By the 50′s and 60′s Juneteenth popularity started to grow once again and in 1980, the day had become an official state holiday in Texas.
(Some information from www.Juneteenth.com.)
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