Juneteenth Celebration: Two Years after Emancipation Proclamation, Slaves Learn of Freedom

There were many reports of individuals who tried to get the information of the Emancipation Proclamation to Texas. Some say that there was a messenger sent there but he didn't arrive because he was murdered. There are other accounts that say news was withheld to continue to get labor on the Southern fields. Similarly, another account speaks to getting another good year of crops before slaves were to be told. Whatever the reason, one thing is true - Texan African Americans were kept in slavery for another two-and-a-half years after other African Americans learned of their freedom.

Executive Order Number Three

It was on June 19th, 1865 that Major General Gordan Granger landed in Galveston with his troops to bring communication that the war had ended and all slaves were free.

Major General Granger read to the people of Texas Executive Order Number Three which read

"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."

Once the initial shock wore off the people of Galveston, there was some confusion as to what the relationship would be between the now employers and employees. Many African Americans decided to move North to be with family members who had run away from slavery.

African Americans began to celebrate this date, coined "Juneteenth", each year, although there was little interest in celebrating it outside of the African American community. African Americans moved the festivities to rural areas around rivers, creeks or even in the church yard areas. Early Juneteenth activities included barbecues and fishing. One of the first documented land purchases for Juneteenth celebrations was Emancipation Park in Houston Texas.

Some white landowners tried to halt celebrations stating that laborers needed to return to work, however, most allowed their laborers the day off to participate in the festivities. Some even donated food or money for the Juneteenth celebrations.

Emancipation Day

On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth became a Texas State Holiday called Emancipation Day. Today, Juneteenth celebrations continue in Texas and other States, usually on the third Saturday in June of each year. Juneteenth is used to not forget the events of 1865 and to serve as a way to encourage respect of African American and other cultures. The Juneteenth.com website serves as place to find local events and to see what's going on around American on June 19th of each upcoming year.

Feb 8, 2009 8:58 AM

Guest :

I've been trying to find out whether the Emancipation Proclamation was printed in a public document, such as a newspaper, in Texas at or near the time of its becoming official on Jan. 1, 1863. And the next question is whether there was any knowledge of the Proclamation among African-Americans in Texas before the end of the Civil War or the arrival of Juneteenth. I have searched, with no success, the slave interviews and contacted basic sources such as the Lincoln Library, Library of Congress, and the Texas State Archives. I feel sure there was some literacy among Texas slaves and the word might have gotten around. I have an original copy of "The Semi-Weekly News" published in San Antonio, TX on October 23, 1862. On the front page is the first draft of the Proclamation in its extended form offering some opportunities for possible settlement of the War, to which the South paid no attention. The newspaper is strongly pro-South and pro-Slavery. The Proclamation begins "I, Abraham Lincoln, King of the United States of America. . .." The rest of the Proclamation is unmodified. I will appreciate any help you can offer regarding early knowledge of the Proclamation among African-American Texans. Thank you. Sam Lanham