Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. This was two full years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln (January 1, 1863). In 1866, freedmen in Texas organized the 1st of what would become the annual celebration of “Jubilee Day” (Day of Jubilee) on June 19th. Early celebrations were used as political rallies to give voting instructions to newly freed slaves. Over the years Juneteenth commemorations featured music, live bands, barbecues, prayer services, parades and many other activities. As Black people started to migrate from Texas the tradition of Juneteenth spread with them and learning about the history and seeing the future of our culture is always full of exuberance!
