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On June 19, 1865, Union troops led by General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and informed 250,000 enslaved African Americans that they were free. Today, millions of Americans celebrate the anniversary of the end of slavery on “Juneteenth”.
The liberation of slaves in Texas came two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Although the proclamation declared that all slaves in confederate states were free, the process of emancipation was not instant. It was only as Union forces began advancing into Confederate states that enslaved African Americans gained their freedom.
General Granger’s arrival to Texas signified the conclusion of hundreds of years of American slavery dating back to 1619. Now, millions of Americans celebrate Emancipation Day every year on June 19. In 2021, Joe Biden signed legislation to officially make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
We hope this important holiday provides an opportunity for reflection and inspires you to learn more about African American history.
Happy Learning!
The Civicly Team
