Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Its roots go back to 1865, when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. The Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Lincoln nearly two and a half years earlier, but word had not yet reached Texas. On June 19, Granger read aloud General Order No. 3, which announced the total emancipation of those held in bondage:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."
Although Juneteenth generally marks the end of slavery in the United States, some historians believe that it actually represents the beginning of African Americans' long journey to freedom. In the years following the Civil War, African Americans continued to face many challenges. They were denied basic rights and freedoms, subjected to Jim Crow laws and racial violence, and excluded from the political process. Despite these obstacles, African Americans persevered, eventually winning important legal victories and making significant progress in the fight for equality.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the United States, with large festivals and events held in many cities and towns. In some states, it is even recognized as an official holiday. For African Americans, Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the past and to celebrate the progress that has been made in the struggle for equality. It is also a time to recommit to the fight for justice and to continue working towards a more perfect Union.