OCAAHS Juneteenth 2025 Celebration

Juneteenth 2025 program.pdf

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What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth—a blend of the words “June” and “nineteenth”—is a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Specifically, it marks June 19, 1865, the day when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas.

This day is significant because it was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The proclamation had declared that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be freed. However, enforcement of the proclamation relied on the advance of Union troops—and Texas, being one of the most remote Confederate states, remained largely untouched by Union forces until mid-1865.

Photos above courtesy of Andra Landi, Freelance Reporter

Historical Context

• January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, but it could not be enforced in Confederate-held territory without military action.

• April 9, 1865: The Civil War effectively ends when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders.

• June 19, 1865: General Granger arrives in Galveston, Texas, with around 2,000 Union troops and reads aloud General Order No. 3, which begins:

  “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

• This marks the official enforcement of emancipation in Texas, the last Confederate state to comply.

The Early Celebrations

The first Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866, with church gatherings, barbecues, music, and prayers. Over time, Juneteenth became an annual tradition in many Black communities, particularly in Texas and the southern U.S. It was a day for:

• Remembering the hardships and resilience of formerly enslaved people

• Honoring Black culture, heritage, and achievements

• Educating future generations about freedom and civil rights

Recognition and Growth

• 1980: Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday.

• Over the decades, more states followed suit, observing it as a state holiday or ceremonial day.

• June 17, 2021: President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday—the first new U.S. federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983.

Modern Celebrations and Significance

Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country with:

• Parades, music festivals, and art exhibits

• Educational forums, historical reenactments, and museum tours

• Cookouts, family reunions, and community outreach events

• Reflection on social justice, civil rights, and Black history

Juneteenth is also used as a time to spotlight systemic inequities, encourage civic engagement, and promote racial reconciliation and healing.

Why Juneteenth Matters

Juneteenth represents more than the end of slavery—it symbolizes:

• Delayed freedom and the continued struggle for equality

• The resilience and contributions of African Americans

• An opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the nation's history of slavery and commit to building a more just and inclusive future