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Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. With it`s origins in Galveston, Texas in 1865, June 19th has become known has the African American Emancipation Day around the world. This day not only emphasizes freedom, but education and achievement as well.

What started out as a day of celebration is now a day, a week and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, family get togethers and picnics. It is a time of reflection and self assessment. As the oldest known celebration, it began when the Union Soldiers who were commanded by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived at Galveston with news that the war had ended and that all that had been enslaved were now free. Grangers' first priority was to read to the people of Texas the General Order Number 3 which was the proclamation of freedom. Reactions ranged from shock to abject joy and while some stayed to see how this new relationship between employer and employee would work, most quickly packed and left their former 'masters', even though most had no where to go.

Oddly, it took two and a half years after the presidential proclamation was made by President Lincoln in January of 1863. Unfortunately, there weren't enough Union soldiers to enforce the new proclamation at that time, and it had little effect on the Texans until the surrender of General Lee in 1865 and General Granger's arrival.

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