Download All About Juneteenth

All About Juneteenth
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, is the name given to emancipation
day by African-Americans in Texas. On that day in 1865 Union Major
General Gordon Granger read General Order #3 to the people of
Galveston. General Order #3 stated "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 personal rights and rights of property between former
masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired
labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed
that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or
elsewhere."
Large celebrations on June 19 began in 1866 and continued regularly into the early 20th century. The AfricanAmericans treated this day like the Fourth of July and the celebrations contained similar events. In the early days,
the celebration included a prayer service, speakers with inspirational messages, reading of the emancipation
proclamation, stories from former slaves, food, red soda water, games, rodeos and dances.
The celebration of June 19 as emancipation day spread from Texas to the neighboring states of Louisiana, Arkansas
and Oklahoma. It has also appeared in Alabama, Florida, and California as African-American Texans migrated.
In many parts of Texas, ex-slaves purchased land, or "emancipation grounds," for the Juneteenth gathering.
Examples include: Emancipation Park in Houston, purchased in 1872; what is now Booker T. Washington Park in
Mexia; and Emancipation Park in East Austin.
Celebration of Juneteenth declined during World War II but revived in 1950 at the Texas State Fair Grounds in
Dallas. Interest and participation fell away during the late 1950's and 1960's as attention focused on expansion of
freedom for African-Americans. In the 1970's Juneteenth revived in some communities. For example, in Austin the
Juneteenth celebration returned in 1976 after a 25 year hiatus. House Bill no.1016 passed in the 66th legislature,
regular session, declared June 19, "Emancipation Day in Texas," a legal state holiday effective January 1, 1980.
Since that time, the celebration of Juneteenth continues across the state of Texas with
parades, picnics and dancing.
Texas State Library and Archives Library. State Government. 16 May 2008.
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/juneteenth.html
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Juneteenth Celebration: A Local Legacy
Juneteenth is the name for a holiday celebrating June 19, 1865, the day when Union soldiers arrived in
Texas and spread the word that President Lincoln had delivered his Emancipation Proclamation. News
traveled so slowly in those days that Texas did not hear of Lincoln's Proclamation, which he gave on
January 1, 1863, until more than two years after it was issued!
The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and
henceforward shall be free." Thus, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many ways. It applied
only to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal border states. It also
expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most
important, the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory.
Although Juneteenth has been informally celebrated each year since 1865, it wasn't until June 3, 1979, that
Texas became the first state to proclaim Emancipation Day (Juneteenth) an official state holiday. But it is
much more than a holiday. Juneteenth has become a day for African Americans to celebrate their freedom,
culture, and achievements. It is a day for all Americans to celebrate African American history and rejoice in
their freedom.
Library of Congress. U.S. Govt. 16 May 2008. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgibin/page.cgi/es/tx/june_1.
To learn more about The Emancipation Proclamation, go to
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/.
Here is the first page. The web site has all five pages and more information.
The Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, as
the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared "that
all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be
free."
Despite this expansive wording, the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in many
ways. It applied only to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery untouched in the loyal border states.
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It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important,
the freedom it promised depended upon Union military victory.
Although the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free a single slave, it fundamentally transformed the
character of the war. After January 1, 1863, every advance of federal troops expanded the domain of freedom.
Moreover, the Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy, enabling the
liberated to become liberators. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the
Union and freedom.
From the first days of the Civil War, slaves had acted to secure their own liberty. The Emancipation Proclamation
confirmed their insistence that the war for the Union must become a war for freedom. It added moral force to the
Union cause and strengthened the Union both militarily and politically. As a milestone along the road to slavery's
final destruction, the Emancipation Proclamation has assumed a place among the great documents of human
freedom.
The original of the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, is in the National Archives in Washington, DC.
With the text covering five pages the document was originally tied with narrow red and blue ribbons, which were
attached to the signature page by a wafered impression of the seal of the United States. Most of the ribbon remains;
parts of the seal are still decipherable, but other parts have worn off.
The document was bound with other proclamations in a large volume preserved for many years by the Department of
State. When it was prepared for binding, it was reinforced with strips along the center folds and then mounted on a
still larger sheet of heavy paper. Written in red ink on the upper right-hand corner of this large sheet is the number of
the Proclamation, 95, given to it by the Department of State long after it was signed. With other records, the volume
containing the Emancipation Proclamation was transferred in 1936 from the Department of State to the National
Archives of the United States.
National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. Govt. 16 May 2008.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/.
Here are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth from the Juneteenth website.
From an outdoor cookout with traditional foods to the modern day office conference room, Juneteenth can be
celebrated in various settings. Start with a reading of the "History of Juneteenth" to learn how Juneteenth
celebrations have endured and evolved through the years. For a deeper understanding of the spirit in which current
day celebrations are held, read the "About Juneteenth" section.
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Recognizing Juneteenth in the workplace supports corporate diversity ideals and sends a signal that the company is
truly dedicated to its diverse employee base.
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Idea! - Decorate a conference room, lobby or workspace with a Juneteenth theme to acknowledge the day's
celebration. Bring the group together for refreshments and an explanation of Juneteenth.
An extended celebration could include artifacts, dance, skits, etc. The event should be celebratory, festive
and in honor of African American history. Idea! - Challenge co-workers to present African American facts,
de-bunk myths and stereotypes...
Idea! - Discuss company diversity initiatives and ensure employees that race and gender will never be
barriers to their progress within the company.
Idea! - Bring in a guest speaker. Make this an important date on the corporate calendar.
Celebrations in the community are exciting and fun-filled events. Generally, a committee of local business and
community leaders is formed to plan a host of events. In many cities, tens of thousands turn out to participate.
Parades, rodeos, races, Miss Juneteenth contests, barbecues are typical for an outdoor celebration. School essay
and poster contests are excellent ways to get the youth involved. Local businesses and city government come
onboard as sponsors to keep costs low (or free) for attendees to the events.
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Idea! - Host a community Juneteenth Flag Raising. Invite school bands, elected officials, business and civic
leaders to participate.
Idea! - Encourage your libraries, post offices, city hall to host Juneteenth displays.
Idea! - Encourage your neighborhood to decorate and display Juneteenth yard signs and banners.
Idea! - Rally local organizations to unite and collaborate on a special event in honor of Juneteenth. (Public
discussion, outdoor concert, etc.)
Idea! - Organize neighborhood block parties and invite elected officials and guest speakers to attend.
Idea! - Identify individuals to receive community service awards.
Idea! - Plan a special meal and gather the family together to acknowledge Juneteenth. Decorate the table
with a Juneteenth theme and discuss what the celebration means today. Emphasize the mandates of
responsibility and striving to be the best you can be. Make specific pledges for the remainder of the year
and ask for support in accomplishing your goals.
Idea! - Encourage your neighborhood to display Juneteenth yard signs.
Idea! - Plan a special gathering with friends to acknowledge Juneteenth. Exchange facts or quotes from
history. Discern how certain significant and historical events have impacted your life today. Make it a point
to thank those who have helped open doors for you to achieve.
Idea! - Take some personal time to reflect...then look forward. Make a wish. Make a plan. Write it down.