Juneteenth Celebrates 159 Years Since Emancipation in Texas

This Wednesday, June 19, marks the 159th anniversary of Major General Gordon Granger's arrival in Galveston with 1,800 Union troops. On this day in 1865, Granger issued General Order No. 3, declaring the freedom of all enslaved people in Texas. The announcement came more than two months after the Civil War ended and over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Locally, the reading of General Order No. 3 occurred at the Stroud Plantation around 2 p.m. on the same day, informing the enslaved people on the largest plantation in the area of their newfound freedom. This pivotal event took place two and a half years after Lincoln's proclamation was initially declared.

In June 1963, marking the centennial anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, President John F. Kennedy proposed what would eventually become the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Though the legislation faced significant opposition and a lengthy filibuster in the Senate, it was advanced by President Lyndon B. Johnson after Kennedy's assassination in November of that year. The Civil Rights Act was passed by the Senate on July 2, 1964, followed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting.

According to a 1977 article in the Journal, the Limestone County Juneteenth celebration in Mexia is not only the oldest in Texas but also the longest-running in the nation. The first documented mention of a Juneteenth celebration in the Journal dates back to 1897, though it is also the earliest June record available in the archives. Historical accounts indicate that a Juneteenth celebration has been held annually since the proclamation took effect in 1865. Initially a single-day observance at Booker T. Washington Park at Comanche Crossing, the celebration has expanded over the past 159 years into a five-day event, drawing participants from across Texas.

This year’s activities included musical performances, live skits, educational talks, open mic sessions, karaoke, a pageant, and more.

Juneteenth, now a federal holiday as of June 17, 2021, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. It highlights the delay between the Emancipation Proclamation and the actual freedom of enslaved people in the Southern states, emphasizing the long journey toward civil rights. It is a time for reflection, education, and community celebration, underscoring the resilience and contributions of Black Americans to the nation.