THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH: A THREAD

On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War ended and the enslaved were free. These troops were led by Major General Gordon Granger.

This day was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation that was issued on January 1st, 1863 that stated all persons held as slaves within confederate states would be granted freedom.

The Emancipation Proclamation had very little impact in Texas because there was a minimal number of Union troops there to enforce it. The arrival of Granger’s troops made the forces strong enough to overcome the resistance.

Juneteenth does not mark the end of slavery, but instead marks the day that those enslaved in Texas found out they were free for over two years.

Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas in 1980. In fact, all but 3 U.S. states have Juneteenth as an official state holiday (Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota)

Over the years, more and more people have been learning and celebrating Juneteenth and recognizing it as a holiday. Celebrations include: prayer & religious services, educational events, speeches, picnics, festivals with music, food, and dancing.

So please recognize what is going on in the world today and use your voice in support of black lives. Use this time to educate yourself and help Juneteenth become an official national holiday! https://www.change.org/p/elizabeth-warren-to-have-juneteenth-be-a-national-holiday?recruiter=982521743&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_abi&utm_term=psf_combo_share_abi&recruited_by_id=b569f370-a294-11e9-a886-65c81b710c63

here’s a video that explains juneteenth!!