Today is actually a special day in the history of African Americans living in Texas. We celebrate Juneteenth today and remember the day that slavery was abolished here. Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation in September of 1862 and declared that it be made effective on January 1, 1863 but the news didn’t make it to this state for another 2 1/2 years.
It wasn’t until General Gordon and his 2,000 men arrived in Galveston on June 18, 1865 and then delivered his now famous General Order No. 3 on June 19, 1865 that the now former slaves found out that they were freed. I can only imagine that celebration. African Americans continued to celebrate it unofficially every year and in 1980 with the help of state rep Al Edwards it was made an official state holiday. Since it falls in the summer holiday for students here there’s no need for school closures and it isn’t a bank holiday, but it’s the recognition of this important day that matters.
Happy Juneteenth my friend!
That's pretty awesome! I know I'm a little behind, but happy belated Juneteenth!