Juneteenth is one of the federal holidays, and as the second National Independence Day that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. After 159 years, African Americans around the country memorialize the holiday from social gatherings, churches, and/or events within their communities. During the early 2020’s COVID outbreak, the United States were going through major turmoil through political and social movements, which citizens advocated heavily about the commemoration of freedom for men, women, and children of color.
The History of Juneteenth
According to WEDU PBS, in 1849, former Congressman Abraham Lincoln advocated to end slavery and wanted slaveowners to dismissed “the chattel” for those individuals. Not everyone were on board at first, but the soon to be 16th President had other plans to “one day,” deliver this necessary legislation.
In September 1862, President Lincoln issued a proclamation to free slaves, and have the individuals returned to the Union; during the Civil War, it was known as the North part of the United States, according to WEDU PBS. Many of the Confederate states were against it, and President Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day in 1863. Which states, “all persons held as slaves within any States, or designated part of the State, the people whereof shall be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” By the end of the day, the message about the Emancipation Proclamation were notified across the country to many enslaved and free African Americans, by Union soldiers (that were black), according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Unfortunately, many of the Confederate states did not proceed with giving the enslaved freedom, despite the Proclamation being in effect. According to Archives, President Lincoln had to “followed by a constitutional amendment in order to guarantee the abolishment of slavery.” He accomplished this by passing the 13th Amendment during the end of the Civil War, in 1864. And congress was able to pass the constitutional amendment on January 31, 1865. Therefore, President Lincoln sent the proposal to the state legislatures on February 1, 1865.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger, freed over 250,000 enslaved, “Black Americans” due to the decree of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas. Then many Southern states followed for several years, while ratifying the Amendments 13th, 14th, and 15th (known as the Civil War Amendments).
Past to Present
What are your thoughts about Juneteenth? Leave your name and comments below!
Updated on June 19, 2024
