When were slaves finally free in America? President Abraham Lincoln ended slavery with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, however, slaves in Texas had no knowledge of their freedom until two and a half years later. Juneteenth started in Galveston, Texas, when slaves still in bondage finally received the news on June 19, 1865, from Union army Major General Gordon Granger, that they had been freed — on January 1, 1863.
An article on Juneteenth.com describes Major Granger’s opening words in the statement he read that day: “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 free laborer.”
There are several stories, but no one really knows why it took two and a half years for the news to travel to Texas. The delay is attributed to diverse explanations: perhaps the messenger originally assigned to bring the news of the Emancipation Proclamation was murdered, or the slaves were not told so they could harvest one more crop of cotton.
News of freedom led many to leave the plantations, looking for long-lost relatives or better opportunities up North. The African-American citizens of Galveston made June 19, shortened to “Juneteenth”, a celebration of freedom with family, friends and good food. Since 1865, Juneteenth has grown to become a holiday celebrated nationally.
courtesy: Juneteenth.com
