Update: Juneteenth was made a legal US annual public holiday in June 2021. See reference section for more info.
On June 19, 1865 the General Order presented below was issued in the State of Texas. This day has become known as Juneteenth.
It is that day having its roots in June 19, 1865 that that is celebrated as the day when all Black Americans was considered to have been informed that they were free from slavery and that freedom was to be enforced by and was in fact enforce by the United States Government including its military.
A reference at Archives.Gov says:
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.”
Most slaves apparently received the good news on or about January 1, 1863 and began availing themselves of and celebrating their new found freedom. However, this was not true of slaves in the State of Texas.
For some reason Texas slaves and Texas slave owners did not get the message or at least it was not delivered to Texas slaves and enforced by Texas slave owners and government authorities until June 19, 1865 when General Granger issued the order. The fact that he issued the order suggest that the problem was Texas slave owners and government officials did not want to comply. This issuance of the General Order did not occur until some two years after President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation Executive Order.
IMPORTANT ORDERS BY GEN. GRANGER.
THE SLAVES ALL FREE.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF TEXAS, GALVESTON, Texas, June 19, 1865.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 3. — The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, “all slaves are tree.” 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.
By command of Maj.-Gen. GRANGER.
We as a nation have made much progress in racial reconciliation during my life time. Yet, we have much work to do in order to achieve a more perfect union, locally, state-wise, and as a nation.
Throughout the years, people of all genders, races, religions and other groupings have worked to move us as a nation further toward that more perfect union. The activities of this present time are a continuation and intensification of that movement.
Yes Satan has those of all genders, races and religions and other groupings who would stand in the way. But like they failed in the Civil War, they will not stop progress.
For my position all my life has been if they close one door I will simply go to another door and walk in where I want to go while not being an obstacle to myself! That attitude has not failed me! Praise God!
For the Lord executeth righteousness and judgment [justice] for all who are oppressed (Psalms 103:6). So let us press on with love not hate for any. Let all do their part, however little or however great in the eyes of men. All that we do in alignment with the Lord he considers great. So as we press let us not be the evil we despise in others.
References:
Juneteenth and Independence Day including Juneteenth Legal Holiday
