President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves free as of January 1, 1863. Since there were little troops available to assist in enforcing the executive order given by President Lincoln, many slaves in Texas didn't even know they were freed.
It wasn't until two and a half years later on June 19th that Union soldiers made the way to Galveston,Texas to proclaim that the war was over and slavery was no longer legal.
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 African-Americans 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.
Juneteenth is a Mardi Gras Without costumes.
INTER CLUB COUNCIL of El Paso, Texas
P.O. BOX 370002 ~ El Paso, Texas 79937
THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH
What:
Annual Juneteenth Picnic hosted by the ICC
When:
Saturday, June 19, 2010
12noon - 3pm
Where:
Mary Webb Park
3401 E. Missouri
El Paso, Texas 79903
Cost:
Free to the public
Juneteenth History in Brief Timeline
1619
The first 20 black indentured servants arrive at Jamestown, Virginia.
1769
In the year of the Declaration of Independence, more than 200,000 slaves lived in the colonies.
1789
Text of the U.S. Constitution is ratified. Although it never specifically mentions the institution of slavery, Congressional districts were apportioned by counting slaves as three-fifths of a person.
1793
The Fugitive Slave Act makes it illegal to aid a runaway slave and mandated the return of slaves, regardless of which state they were in at the time of their discovery or capture.
1847
Frederick Douglass launches the anti-slavery newspaper, The North Star.
1849
Harriett Tubman helps slaves escape the South via the "Underground Railway."
1859
Radical abolitionist John Brown leads a failed revolt against slavery in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown is executed.
1860
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States.
1861
Southern states secede from the Union, sparking the American Civil War.
1863
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared free all slaves residing in territory in rebellion against the federal government
1865
The Confederate armies surrender. The Civil War ends.
1865
In June, Union Major General Gordon Granger issues General Order #3, instructing that "all slaves are free." Juneteenth celebrates this anniversary. 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States ratified, banning slavery forever
