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Juneteenth is the oldest nationally/internationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.
Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.
One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:
"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 hired laborer."
The celebrations that followed the reading of the proclamation by General Gordon Granger began a tradition that has lasted for over one hundred and fifty five years, and today is hosted in cities across America and beyond. The JUNETEENTH.com website is dedicated to this celebration and to those who tirelessly contribute to its continued existence and growth. For information regarding this website, contact us via email or call: 504 242-4691.
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Let's make Juneteenth a commemorative, not of the horrific institution our country embraced, but rather as a showcase of the strength in the American spirit to recognize wrong and set about making it right. In this same spirit America moves ahead today in leveling playing fields and achieving ever greater equality. Let us celebrate all that Juneteenth teaches us about our country's greatness in our use of the heart to hear and to learn and to work together for all that is good and just.
In June of 2008, my grandmother was laid to rest. As our funeral procession passed near Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, a parade was taking place. The parade stopped to let us pass, and the men and women on horseback removed their cowboy hats and placed them over their hearts. It was the first time that day we laughed - Grams would have loved that she stopped a parade. What those men and women did not know is my Grams was a First Lieutenant in the Army - she served during WWII as a psychiatric nurse. She lived an amazing life after that, with God at the helm. I learned today that the parade that day by WSU was the Juneteenth Parade. That the men and women so selflessly stopped to allow our funeral procession to move past has remained in our family's hearts and minds all these years. We cannot thank you enough for your kindness. You are forever a part of our family's history.
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
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