Today is Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
The holiday received its name by combining June and 19. The day is also sometimes called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day,” or “Emancipation Day.” On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led Union soldiers into Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and slavery was abolished鈥攖wo years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This is known as 鈥淕eneral Order No. 3.”
President Lincoln鈥檚 edict had little impact on the people of Texas, since there were few Union troops around at the time to enforce it. But with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee in April 1865 and the arrival of General Gordon Granger鈥檚 regiment in Galveston, troops were finally strong enough to enforce the executive order. Newly freed men rejoiced, originating the annual “Juneteenth” celebration, which commemorates the freeing of the slaves in Texas.
Although Juneteenth has been informally celebrated each year since 1865, it wasn鈥檛 until June 3, 1979, that Texas became the first state to proclaim Juneteenth an official state holiday. On June 17, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed into law the bill that established Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a legal public holiday.
Here are some ways to recognize Juneteenth:
- Listen to first person recountings of Juneteenth. The Library of Congress鈥檚聽听肠辞苍迟补颈苍蝉听 with formerly enslaved Texans. 聽from the Library profiles several of those stories.
- Look at photographs and images related to Juneteenth. shows a photo from an Emancipation Day 1905, a snippet from General Order No. 3, and a portrait of a man who remembers the emancipation announcement in Texas.
- Honor Juneteenth through art. Find inspiration from from the Library of Congress from a recent Juneteenth celebration.
Looking for additional resources? Check out聽this compilation聽from 起点传媒from 2020.
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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