Juneteenth is a significant holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the American South.
The celebration recognizes June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston Texas, with news that Civil War had ended and all enslaved individuals were now free.
While this date marked the official announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas, it followed the founding of the Republican Party in Wisconsin in 1854 (which aggressively opposed the proliferation of slavery as the US expanded west), the election of the first Republican President, Abraham Lincoln in 1860 (which led to the secession of several states, which sparked the Civil War), and the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln (which freed the slaves in the southern states) in 1863.
Despite the Proclamation being signed two years earlier, many enslaved individuals in Texas continued to be held in bondage until the arrival of the Union troops.
The general order issued by Union Major General Gordon Granger was, actually, even more sweeping than the Emancipation Proclamation.
“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.”
Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, General Order No. 3
The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery throughout the United States, would not be ratified until December of 1865.
The celebration of Juneteenth has spread across the United States and officially became a federal holiday in 2021.
Juneteenth has become an occasion for African Americans to honor their ancestors’ struggle and resilience while commemorating their eventual freedom. However, Juneteenth is also a day for all Americans to celebrate the growth and maturation of the United States as the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
Wisconsin has a rich history of celebrating Juneteenth with various events, parades, community gatherings, and educational programs. Milwaukee, in particular, has a vibrant Juneteenth tradition, with festivities that include music, food, art, and cultural performances.
Additionally, Wisconsin has played a role in promoting the recognition of Juneteenth. In 2009, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a resolution recognizing Juneteenth Day in the state.
Juneteenth holds a special place in American history as a day that symbolizes the extension of freedom and justice
Its celebration in Wisconsin and across the country demonstrates the continued relevance and importance of honoring the past, recognizing the grave sin that was slavery, and celebrating the promise of the US Constitution,
The Republic endures as does the promise of liberty and justice for all.
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