June 19th is Freedom Day
When the Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863, not all enslaved people in Confederate territory were immediately freed. In Texas, freedom came for enslaved people on June 19, 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, took control of the state, and announced the 250,000 enslaved black people were free by executive decree.
Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. June 19, 2022 is the second year that Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday.
To learn more about this significant holiday, check out these resources:
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth
Learning for Justice: Teaching Juneteenth