Juneteenth: A Celebration of African American Freedom
By HAL FICKETT
This week our WPPB Throwback Thursday Feature celebrates JUNETEENTH, a holiday which quite frankly I never heard of until early this century. Yet the June 19th commemoration of freedom has been in existence for exactly 149 years.
On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived on the island of Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.
The next day, General Granger informed the people of Texas "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."
Thus, nearly 2 and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation the slaves of Texas were officially notified of their freedom.
The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. Through the years, recounting memories of that joyously liberating moment would serve as motivation to educate as well as to celebrate the significance of June 19, 1865. Coined "Juneteenth" the holiday became a time for reassurance, support, and prayer at festive family gatherings.
Former slaves and their descendants often returned to Galveston, Texas on this date; a glorious pilgrimage indeed. Nowadays, Juneteenth is recognized as a celebration of African American freedom and an occasion for encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.
So in the spirit of liberty and justice for all and our people's individual and collective right to party - let's get it on with Brother Louis Jordan and Sister Gladys Fatso Bentley for a Juneteenth musical feast!
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery
By George LeRoy Hunter
Pike County, PA
LEHMAN — Visitors, vendors and dignitaries from the region descended on Lehman Township Community Park to celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 14 and enjoy food, music, art, games and community interaction.
Pennsylvania State Representative Rosemary Brown and her political challenger Delaware Township resident and Democrat Liz Forrest were among the special guests.
Origin
Officially recognized on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states.The Juneteenth celebration in Pike County Pennsylvania is promoted and organized by the African American Network of the Poconos.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that 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.
This particular military action took place two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed and issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, with an effective date of Jan. 1,1863.The Civil War was a bloody and divisive conflict. Even after Union forces defeated the Confederacy there was much bitterness.
Texas was the last holdout in the United States. The 'Lonestar State' refused to comply with the Emancipation Proclamation. To put an end to Texas noncompliance Major General Granger along with 2,000 armed federal troops arrived on the island of Galveston to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.
On June 19, 1865 standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of "General Order No. 3":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.Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets upon hearing the contents of "General Order No. 3".
Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year and spread to other areas in America in later years. Economic and cultural forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations in the early 20th century. But in recent years Juneteenth celebrations have gained renewed interest.
"This is the seventh year Juneteenth has been celebrated in Pike County," African American Network of the Poconos President Cleo MeriAbut Jarvis stated. "Juneteenth has been around for many years and has been very big in the southern states like Virginia.
Many people up here (North East) just don't know about it. Juneteenth has gotten more recognition in recent years because of word of mouth and the press. Juneteenth is being celebrated today in Coney Island, New York and also last week Brooklyn held a Juneteenth event.
We (African Americans) are proud of our heritage and we are proud to be free like everyone else. Its about celebrating freedom and sharing the joy of that celebration with us."
For more photos visit www.PikeCountyCourier.com .
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| Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas during 1900. |
This week our WPPB Throwback Thursday Feature celebrates JUNETEENTH, a holiday which quite frankly I never heard of until early this century. Yet the June 19th commemoration of freedom has been in existence for exactly 149 years.
On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived on the island of Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.
The next day, General Granger informed the people of Texas "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."
Thus, nearly 2 and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation the slaves of Texas were officially notified of their freedom.
The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. Through the years, recounting memories of that joyously liberating moment would serve as motivation to educate as well as to celebrate the significance of June 19, 1865. Coined "Juneteenth" the holiday became a time for reassurance, support, and prayer at festive family gatherings.
Former slaves and their descendants often returned to Galveston, Texas on this date; a glorious pilgrimage indeed. Nowadays, Juneteenth is recognized as a celebration of African American freedom and an occasion for encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures.
So in the spirit of liberty and justice for all and our people's individual and collective right to party - let's get it on with Brother Louis Jordan and Sister Gladys Fatso Bentley for a Juneteenth musical feast!
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery
By George LeRoy Hunter
Pike County, PA
LEHMAN — Visitors, vendors and dignitaries from the region descended on Lehman Township Community Park to celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 14 and enjoy food, music, art, games and community interaction.
Pennsylvania State Representative Rosemary Brown and her political challenger Delaware Township resident and Democrat Liz Forrest were among the special guests.
Origin
Officially recognized on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states.The Juneteenth celebration in Pike County Pennsylvania is promoted and organized by the African American Network of the Poconos.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that 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.
This particular military action took place two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed and issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Sept. 22, 1862, with an effective date of Jan. 1,1863.The Civil War was a bloody and divisive conflict. Even after Union forces defeated the Confederacy there was much bitterness.
Texas was the last holdout in the United States. The 'Lonestar State' refused to comply with the Emancipation Proclamation. To put an end to Texas noncompliance Major General Granger along with 2,000 armed federal troops arrived on the island of Galveston to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves.
On June 19, 1865 standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of "General Order No. 3":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.Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets upon hearing the contents of "General Order No. 3".
Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year and spread to other areas in America in later years. Economic and cultural forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations in the early 20th century. But in recent years Juneteenth celebrations have gained renewed interest.
"This is the seventh year Juneteenth has been celebrated in Pike County," African American Network of the Poconos President Cleo MeriAbut Jarvis stated. "Juneteenth has been around for many years and has been very big in the southern states like Virginia.
Many people up here (North East) just don't know about it. Juneteenth has gotten more recognition in recent years because of word of mouth and the press. Juneteenth is being celebrated today in Coney Island, New York and also last week Brooklyn held a Juneteenth event.
We (African Americans) are proud of our heritage and we are proud to be free like everyone else. Its about celebrating freedom and sharing the joy of that celebration with us."
For more photos visit www.PikeCountyCourier.com .
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