Al Edwards:
Slavery Officially Ends On This Date In 1865 And June 19th Becomes Known As Happy Juneteenth.
On This Day, Union Soldiers, Led By Major General Gordon Granger, Rode Into Galveston, Texas And Announced That All Slaves Were Free:
"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 exisisting between them becomes that between employer and laborer."
Although Abraham Lincoln Signed The Emancipation Proclamation On January 1, 1863, In States Like Texas, It Had No Impact Due To The Minimal Number Of Union Troops To Enforce The Executive Order.
It Would Be Two And A Half Years Later Before African Americans Nationwide, Were Told Of Their Freedom. With The Surrender Of Gen. Robert E. Lee In April, 1865, Union Soldiers Became Strong Enough To Take Possession Of The State And Enforce The Law Abolishing Slavery.
People celebrated The Black Independence Day In Texas, With Dancing, Food And Music.
On January 1, 1980, Juneteenth Became An Official Texas Holiday, Due In Large Part To The Efforts Of Texas Representative, Al Edwards.
Today Juneteeth It Is Not Only Celebrated In Texas, But In Cities Throughout The United States.
Juneteenth Activities Include Parades, Picnics, Barbecues, Ball Games And Family Reunions.
"In Order For lack History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
