Juneteenth Next Week In Texas & Most Of The Rest Of America

One week from today, on June, 19, the Juneteenth holiday takes place. I had not heard of the Juneteenth holiday until I moved to Texas. Now, less than a decade, later Juneteenth is celebrated in 31 of the United States, including my old home state of Washington and all the other west coast states, including Alaska.

For those who do not know what Juneteenth is, like I didn't a decade ago, it commemorates the abolition of slavery in America.

Since Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day one might think that June 19 was the day Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It is not. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862, effective January 1, 1863.

In reality, the Emancipation Proclamation pretty much had no effect on those living in the areas under Confederate control.

What Juneteenth commemorates is June 19, 1865, that being the day that Union General Gordon Granger, along with 2,000 Federal troops, showed up in Galveston, Texas to take control of Texas and emancipate Texas slaves.

General Granger stood on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa and read General Order #3.

"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 personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."

The newly freed men and women erupted into happy celebrations on the streets of Galveston. The following June 19, Juneteenth celebrations happened all over Texas. The newly freed pooled their money to buy land for parks in which to hold their Juneteenth celebrations, including Mexia's Booker T. Washington Park, Austin's Emancipation Park and Houston's Emancipation Park.

It took well over a century for Juneteenth to spread to most of the rest of America.

In a week there will be a wide range of events, parades, street fairs, BBQs, block parties,with a lot of music and dancing.

Most Juneteenth events include a big feast that goes on all day in a park or other outdoor venue. It is usually a potluck type deal, with a lot of barbecue, greens, watermelon and pies. Along with the traditional red soda. And a lot of ice cream.

The original Juneteenth celebrants in Galveston feasted on fried chicken, watermelon and red soda. Hence the red soda tradition that continues to this day.

There are a several Juneteenth celebrations in Fort Worth. I don't know which one I'll be going to next Friday. I would think the celebrating will be especially happy this Juneteenth due to who is currently doing Abraham Lincoln's job.