Juneteenth; A Day Of Freedom.
Emancipation proclamation
The first time i had ever heard of Juneteenth, i was in my second year of college, about 19, and spreading my wings as a young black female. Of course i ran into 'radicals' as i referenced them when describing them to others.
They were kids from the north in Georgia for college still exploring the reasons why people of color were not pushing for Juneteenth to be a national holiday.
Juneteenth came about because of the Emancipation Proclamation. It's purpose to free black people from the life of bondage and being owned as property by someone of the white race, although there were people of color who owned slaves.
What is Juneteenth, really?
It is the oldest celebration of the freedom of slaves. It is June 19th, officially, the day in 1865, that the union soldier Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston Texas and informed it's inhabitants that slavery was no more and those who had been previously enslaved were now free.
This was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, official date January 1st, 1863, because Texans had resisted. But upon the surrender of General Lee and the arrival of soldiers to enforce the new / old Executive Order, slaves were freed.
President Abraham Lincoln was in the White House, running the affairs of the states, and trying to unite a nation. The South had declared war through seccession and refusing to do away with slavery.
So Civil War, the war between the States, Union soldiers, men in blue, and the Confederate soldiers, men in gray, fighting one another to preserve a lifestyle of owning people like animals. Houses were divided for this cause, the freeing of people of color.
Blacks were enslaved, their families and children divided and abused, at the whim of their owners.
Juneteenth is the first and oldest celebration of this being demolished and freedom coming to a group of peoples.
The first official celebration occurred in, 1865, in Texas, they are picnic like celebrations, where stories are told, prayers are made, education is uplifted as well as the betterment of the people through encouragement.
Juneteenth menu
- strawberry soda or pop
- barbecue
- meats like lamb, pork and beef held center stage
- special dishes
Juneteenth clothing
- dressing like masters
- dressing like ladies
Juneteenth celebrations went through a decline.
But it is now in a resurgence as people celebrate their historical freedoms and money to support the celebrations can be made.
Texas celebrates Juneteenth as an official state holiday.
- Juneteenth U.S.A. Holiday sponsored by Texas State Representative Al Edwards
Juneteenth USA is led by Texas State Representative Al Edwards who wrote and sponsored House Bill 1016, making June 19th, a state holiday. - JUNETEENTH WORLD WIDE CELEBRATION
