Juneteenth is a holiday in Texas that commemorates the celebration of the abolition of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that General Gordon Granger leading the Union soldiers, arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the war and the freedom of all slaves. This event happened two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation by the president Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. There have been several versions of stories to explain the two and half years’ delay that it took General Gordon to bring the news to Texas after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Some said that the messenger charged to bring the news was murdered on his way to Texas. Other said that the masters deliberately withheld the news to maintain slaves at work in
…show more content…
The General Order Number 3 clearly stated that all slaves were free, which involved equal rights between former masters and slaves and the new relationship between both became that of an employer and an employee. While many wanted to hear more about this new rule, others deserted the farms and jubilated on their freedom. The memories of June 1865 and its festivities were the backbone of the celebration of June 19 which was later labelled “Juneteenth.” Juneteenth is celebrated with a variety of activities ranging from fishing, barbecuing, baseball games, family gathering, church services, concerts, and educational events just to name these few. Some food became linked to Juneteenth celebration such as the strawberry soda pop. During these events, elders are invited to retell their stories and explained their experience with past Juneteenth celebration. The celebration can last for hours, days, weeks, or sometimes months in certain homes.
The festivities often left visitors completely satisfied with stories to tell until the next
The General Order Number 3 clearly stated that all slaves were free, which involved equal rights between former masters and slaves and the new relationship between both became that of an employer and an employee. While many wanted to hear more about this new rule, others deserted the farms and jubilated on their freedom. The memories of June 1865 and its festivities were the backbone of the celebration of June 19 which was later labelled “Juneteenth.” Juneteenth is celebrated with a variety of activities ranging from fishing, barbecuing, baseball games, family gathering, church services, concerts, and educational events just to name these few. Some food became linked to Juneteenth celebration such as the strawberry soda pop. During these events, elders are invited to retell their stories and explained their experience with past Juneteenth celebration. The celebration can last for hours, days, weeks, or sometimes months in certain homes.
The festivities often left visitors completely satisfied with stories to tell until the next