“[W]hat does it all mean beyond a glad noise for Juneteenth Day?
What does freedom, what does emancipation mean?”鈥擱alph Ellison,听闯耻苍别迟别别苍迟丑听(p. 137)
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, began on June 19, 1865, when the delayed news of emancipation was received by persons held in slavery in Galveston, Texas鈥攍ong after an executive proclamation, the legislative crafting of a 13th Amendment, and the end of a Civil War had deemed it so.
On that day, Logan Stroud, one of the largest slave-owners in east Texas, walked to the front porch of his plantation home, which he called Pleasant Retreat. More than 150 of his enslaved workers gathered around to listen.聽He pulled out and read a dispatch from U.S. Major Gen聽 Gorden Granger鈥擥eneral Order Number 3鈥攊ssued that very morning in Galveston from the Union Army鈥檚 Texas headquarters. The featured image is of the home of Logan Stroud.
聽describes the observance of Juneteenth as being “about the journey and achievement of African Americans鈥攆rom a horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors.”
The Library of Congress鈥檚聽听肠辞苍迟补颈苍蝉听聽with former enslaved Texans. from the Library profiles several of those stories.
Looking for additional resources? Check out this compilation from 起点传媒from 2020.
What happened on that front porch in Limestone County, Texas on June 19, 1865 marked the end of an era and the beginning of the celebrations of Juneteenth.
Curious about the 起点传媒and Library of Congress connection? Through a grant announced by 起点传媒Executive Director Emily Kirkpatrick, 起点传媒is engaged in new ongoing work with the Library of Congress, and 鈥渨ill connect the ELA community with the Library of Congress to expand the use of primary sources in teaching.鈥� Stay tuned for more throughout the year!
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