What is Juneteenth?

I have always been fascinated with the amount of people that do not know about Juneteenth. What is even more fascinating is the fact that it took Texans so long to realize that they were free. Slavery is an ugly blot on our nations history, but we cannot forget that it happened. We also cannot forget that to whom much is given, much is required. We must do more to ensure that our children and even some adults are aware of the significance of Juneteenth.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Read more at source

0 comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...