Juneteenth Holiday Has
Texas Origins

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Do you know how the "Juneteenth" holiday got started? Why do African-Americans celebrate the holiday when officially Abraham Lincoln had freed the slaves some three years earlier, in 1862? Well, you can blame poor communications during the Civil War, as June 19, 1865, was the day that Union General Gordon Granger stood in Galveston, Texas, and informed a group of residents that "all slaves were now free!"

 

 

The Civil War had officially ended when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, but it took word traveling to the outreaches of our country to inform the population. Granger's announcement in Galveston, Texas, brought on a celebration that began the Juneteenth celebration, now nationally known as "Black Independence Day."

For African-Americans, June 19th is similar to the Fourth of July and marks when they actually learned of their freedom from the bonds of slavery. From the humble beginnings of a celebration in Galveston, the holiday has spread throughout the United States, giving wake to a day that the freedoms enjoyed by African-Americans are celebrated.

 

 

"It gives us a time to pause and count our blessings," expressed one local African-American. "It makes us thankful that we're not in the bonds of slavery, like many of our ancestors, and allows us to focus on the opportunities that we now have!"

 

 

With the holiday being celebrated in June, each year, it gives rise to family picnics, backyard and public bar-b-ques, and other celebrations denoting the importance of freedoms.

 

 

It was only in 1980 that June 19th became "Emancipation Day" in Texas, and became a state paid holiday. Today 17 states have formal observations of the day.

The thirteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave all slaves their freedom.

For an overview of the Black History of Hopkins County, read "Out of the Darkness, The Black Face of Hopkins County." The book is available for $30.25 by calling (903)885-9755.

 

 

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