Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led Union Soliders into Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended. He read to the people of Galveston General Orders Number 3, which stated that all slaves were freed. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863.
Juneteenth is celebrated throughout the United States in a variety of ways. Many celebrations focus on education and self-improvement. Celebrations include:
storytelling
dancing, singing and music
poetry readings and spoken word poetry
guest speakers
historical perspectives
barbeques
Share your Juneteenth Celebrations with us on social media @alachualibrary.
Cone Park misses our community, and would love to share some of our Juneteenth memories with you.