Why Do We Celebrate Juneteenth?
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (“June Nineteenth”) is a holiday celebrating the effective end of slavery in the United States on the date of June 19, 1865.
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all slaves were to be free by January 1,1863. The Proclamation made freeing the slaves an explicit goal of the union war effort. But it took almost two years for that information to travel to Galveston, Texas. On June 19, 1865, became the real day of freedom for Texas residents. Juneteenth is one of the oldest national holidays celebrating the ending of slavery in the United States.
The News
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops rode to Galveston, Texas, and enforced the end of slavery. The general read these orders: "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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer." This was one of the most important parts of the speech. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities, and as blacks migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread.
Juneteenth and the 13th Amendment
Juneteenth marked a turning point in the fight to free fellow humans from the bonds of slavery, and African Americans in Texas celebrated it as a day of freedom. On January 31,1865 the date the 13th Amendment passed Congress officially abolishing the institution of slavery. The 13th Amendment States: The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Juneteenth and Texas
In 1979 Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. Leading the charge was Rep. Al Edwards of Houston, often referred to as “the father of Juneteenth.” He was quoted by Yahoo in 2007, he stated, “A national celebration of Juneteenth, state by state, serves a similar purpose for us. Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations. That’s why we need this holiday.”
Juneteenth (“June Nineteenth”) is a holiday celebrating the effective end of slavery in the United States on the date of June 19, 1865.
The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation stated that all slaves were to be free by January 1,1863. The Proclamation made freeing the slaves an explicit goal of the union war effort. But it took almost two years for that information to travel to Galveston, Texas. On June 19, 1865, became the real day of freedom for Texas residents. Juneteenth is one of the oldest national holidays celebrating the ending of slavery in the United States.
The News
On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops rode to Galveston, Texas, and enforced the end of slavery. The general read these orders: "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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer." This was one of the most important parts of the speech. In the ensuing decades, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services and other activities, and as blacks migrated from Texas to other parts of the country the Juneteenth tradition spread.
Juneteenth and the 13th Amendment
Juneteenth marked a turning point in the fight to free fellow humans from the bonds of slavery, and African Americans in Texas celebrated it as a day of freedom. On January 31,1865 the date the 13th Amendment passed Congress officially abolishing the institution of slavery. The 13th Amendment States: The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Juneteenth and Texas
In 1979 Texas became the first state to make Juneteenth an official holiday. Leading the charge was Rep. Al Edwards of Houston, often referred to as “the father of Juneteenth.” He was quoted by Yahoo in 2007, he stated, “A national celebration of Juneteenth, state by state, serves a similar purpose for us. Every year we must remind successive generations that this event triggered a series of events that one by one defines the challenges and responsibilities of successive generations. That’s why we need this holiday.”
Juneteenth Lesson Plans
Literature/Reading
Read the passage and write a summary based on these writing prompts.
History and Social Studies/Create a Timeline
Art
Draw a picture of the Juneteenth Flag, when did it come about? What do the colors and star represent?
(Optional)There are so many reasons why some of the southern states were emancipated two years later. Read about how this happened, there are many stories, some will make you laugh.
Read the passage and write a summary based on these writing prompts.
- What is Juneteenth?
- President Lincoln emancipated slaves on January 1, 1863. When was Texas emancipated?
- Who was called the father of Juneteenth?
History and Social Studies/Create a Timeline
- What was the official date of the Emancipation Proclamation?
- When was the 13th Amendment passed? What does the 13th amendment have to do with slavery?
- When did Texas receive their Emancipation?
Art
Draw a picture of the Juneteenth Flag, when did it come about? What do the colors and star represent?
(Optional)There are so many reasons why some of the southern states were emancipated two years later. Read about how this happened, there are many stories, some will make you laugh.
