Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, made it to Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and that slaves were now free. This news arrived two and a half years after President Lincoln signed into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves held in the 11 Confederate states that had seceded from and which were at war against the Union. The Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, and in every Confederate state, except Tennessee and Texas, the Proclamation went into immediate effect in the Union-occupied areas.
The Emancipation Proclamation had little to no impact on Texas due to the lack of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger and his regiment, they were finally able to overcome the Confederacy.
The celebrations that followed the reading of the proclamation by General Gordon Granger began a Texan tradition that has lasted for over one hundred and fifty-five years, and today is celebrated and hosted in cities across America and beyond.
Juneteenth World Wide Celebration
Black Codes - Definition, Dates & Jim Crow Laws | HISTORY
ATTEND OR VOLUNTEER AT BAY AREA EVENTS
Juneteenth is a day of celebration as it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
If you are interested in attending a Juneteenth celebration, check out the following links: Bay Area (and surrounding areas) Juneteenth celebrations; City of Martinez 1st Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The City of Richmond 's Juneteenth Festival will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Nicholl Park in Richmond.
The City of Richmond needs a total of 20 volunteers for this year’s Juneteenth Festival.
· 5 for site monitoring.
· 10 for set up and breakdown.
· 5 for kids’ area/monitor the jumper and games.
Time: 9am-5pm
Contact: George Brown at revgb11@sbcglobal.net
San Francisco is planning events and will be giving out gift cards for volunteering on June 10th. You must sign up by June 9th. Volunteering at Juneteenth SF Parade 6/10/23