Juneteenth: Observing the demise of slavery

By Dr. Elwood Watson
Professor of history, African American studies and gender studies

This year marks the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, an annual holiday observing the demise of slavery and marks the day June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation reached citizens in most remote parts of the former confederacy in Galveston, Texas. While President Abraham Lincoln liberated all Black Americans who resided in territory captured from the confederate army when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on January 1, 1863, many Black (and some white citizens) in more rural and remote areas of the nation were still unaware of this reality.

Juneteenth pays tribute to the date when news of emancipation reached Galveston, Texas when Major Gen Gordon Granger along with more than 1,800 federal troops converged upon Texas in an effort to take control of the state approximately two months after the end of the Civil War in April 1865. While the 13th Amendment was ratified in December 1865 thus declaring a law prohibiting slavery into the constitution, the enslavement of Black Americans continued for a number of years afterward.

The holiday has grown tremendously in popularity over the past few decades. Hundreds of official events, both here in America , as well as internationally, celebrating Juneteenth are routinely held. Initially, when news of freedom reached Galveston, newly freed former slaves celebrated by engaging in prayer, dance and preparing lavish feasts. In the initial years of observances of the holiday, many Black Americans acknowledged Juneteenth by reciting passages form the Emancipation Proclamation and holding intensely passionate church services.

The vast majority of states have recognized Juneteenth as a national holiday. Texas was the first to do so in 1980. As of to date, Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota have not formally approved Juneteenth as a state holiday. Moreover, a growing number of corporations have decided to observe Juneteenth as a holiday.