DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews)
– On June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, freedom finally reached Galveston, Texas, the last stronghold of slavery in the United States.
That day, Union General Gordon Granger arrived with 2,000 federal troops and issued General Order No. 3:
“All slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.”
The message spread quickly across Texas, freeing more than 250,000 people and birthing a new tradition known as Juneteenth.
Though the Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, it couldn’t be enforced in Confederate-held territory. Many enslaved people in Texas remained in bondage for two years until Union forces could take control and physically deliver the news.
That delay made June 19, 1865 a turning point in American history. The name ‘Juneteenth’ is a combination of the month of June and the date, the nineteenth.
Since then, Juneteenth has been celebrated as a day of liberation and reflection. Often called “America’s second Independence Day,” the holiday has deep roots in African American history.
The Reconstruction era (1865–1877) is when many of the Juneteenth traditions were established. During this time, formerly enslaved people continued to fight for their rights and reunite their families.
Today, traditions vary across communities, but many Juneteenth gatherings include the color red. The color is a symbol with origins in West Africa, where red is tied to strength, spirituality and life.
As museum historian Kelly Navies explains, the red sodas, fruits and beans seen at Juneteenth celebrations are more than festive. They’re a tribute to the strength of those who came before.
