Juneteenth brought freedom to Texas
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to overstate the importance of the news that arrived in Texas on June 19, 1865, and its life-changing significance is still being celebrated today.The Civil War had been over for more than two months when Major Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston on that historic day with the stunning news that the war was over and the slaves were free.
An estimated 250,000 slaves had been living in the Confederate state of Texas. One day they were considered to be the property of another person, and the next day their lives were changed forever.
They were free.
It wasn't Gen. Granger's news that freed them. The Emancipation Proclamation had accomplished that on Jan, 1, 1863. Nonetheless, the news on June 19, 1865, made freedom a reality for slaves in Texas, and the date has never been forgotten.
When June 19 arrived in 1866, the first anniversary of the glad tidings was celebrated, and the same thing happened on the next June 19. The anniversary has been celebrated every year since and came to be known as Juneteenth - a shortened version of the date June 19.
The holiday isn't just celebrated in Texas. It has become well-known outside the borders of the Lone Star State. More than half the states have passed legislation making Juneteenth either a holiday or a day of special recognition. According to the Web site juneteenth.com, Juneteenth celebrations are scheduled in most if not all states.
It was a day that forever changed the history of Texas. It is not surprising the day is especially meaningful for black Texans, but we do not see it as a holiday just for blacks. Juneteenth is a day that should be celebrated by everyone who loves freedom and detests the fact that slavery ever existed in our country.
Editorials represent the opinion of The Avalanche-Journal Editorial Board, which consists of Publisher Stephen A. Beasley, Editor Terry Greenberg, Editorial Page Editor Joe Hughes, editorial writer Joe Gulick, in addition to input provided by community advisory board members Lee R. Bobbitt, Adrienne Cozart and Irasema Velasquez.
Original Source : http://lubbockonline.com/stories/061908/edi_292670240.shtml
