Explaining an Unsung Holiday all you need to know right here
For the record and for all those who don't know :
June 19, 1865 was the official announcement of the abolition of slavery in the US.
For Black People that meant the official emancipation from slavery.
As most of us have learned in elementary class it was on January 1, 1963, during the civil war, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which was supposed to mean the immediate freedom for all slaves across the nation. But, the confederate states of America (Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee parts of Louisiana and Virginia) wanted to remain "slave states"
The American Government was forced to interfere in order to enforce.
Texas was unique. It stood completely separate because of where it sat on the map of America. While the country was in the middle of the American Civil War, the North grew economically, but the Southern states did not. With everything going on, the fact was there was a smaller amount of Union Troops to police Texas. Even with the freed slaves joining up as laborers and military volunteers.Texas was not being tracked as closely as the other states was so the slave owners took advantage of that legal loop hole and took their slaves there. As in they tried to take their talents to south... beach? No more like the southern slave states. But I digress..
An entire 2 years later, the civil war ended and in June of that year, General Gordon Granger led his troops down to Galveston Texas to announce "General Orders No. 3"
The southern economic workforce was forced to readjust
June 19th or Juneteenth became the day honoring the end of slavery in the United States. The flag shows a star bursting onto the horizon. Placed over the colors red white and blue to indicate that we, just like our ancestors are Americans. The Star represents A New Freedom, A New People, A New Star.
So.. now that you know what Juneteenth is, how will you honor the tradition and celebrate the holiday? The Millennial in me will be late for the cookout, heartily enjoying chicken wings and watermelon while watching my favorite Ice Cube Friday movie. But you might decide to observe African American Emancipation at a local festival (see links below). Whatever you decide, Happy Juneteenth!!!
Photos from Cincinnati Juneteenth Festival
City Beat
For more information about Juneteenth Events in Cincy :
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