By Karen McBride
June 19th is a day of celebration for Americans. Families gather in prayer and thanksgiving for this special remembrance of a historic event. Juneteenth as it is named, is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day.
History of Juneteenth
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the American Civil War on January 1, 1863. The proclamation declared more than three million slaves living in the south to be set free. Remarkable changes began throughout the country as we were reminded that our forefathers established the United States as “the land of the free and home of the brave.”
It wasn’t until the surrender of General Lee that Texas learned the news. General Granger led Union soldiers into Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, to personally make the announcement that the Civil War was over, and that slavery had finally been abolished.
General Order Number 3 Announcing Freedom
General Granger read General Order Number 3, which began with:
“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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.”
Euphoric with their newly established freedom, many citizens left the plantations and headed north, while others went to family members in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
First Juneteenth Celebration
The following year, on June 19, the first celebration took place. Families travelled to Galveston for a day of prayer and gratitude to the Lord for their many blessings. He had led them out of enslavement into freedom as He had done with the Israelites out of Egypt many years ago.
It wasn’t until 2021 that the United States declared June 19th as a federal holiday.
President Biden said, “On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice. And we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility. That work has been led throughout our history by abolitionists and educators, civil rights advocates and lawyers, courageous activists and trade unionists, public officials, and everyday Americans who have helped make real the ideals of our founding documents for all.”
Today’s Juneteenth Celebrations
Today’s celebrations bring people of all races, nationalities, and religions together. They include prayer and religious services, family gatherings, speeches, educational events, and festivals with music, food, and dancing.
On June 19, 2024, we will celebrate the 159th anniversary of Juneteenth. Americans will celebrate this historic day when we were brought together as a nation. One nation, under God. As we celebrate Juneteenth this year, let us take a moment to pray for our Nation, thank God that we have grown from our past mistakes, and to ask for guidance for the future of our great country. It is such a blessing to see how far we have grown under God’s guidance. America is truly the land of the free and the home of the brave. Rather than let it divide us, let us grow stronger together. Together we can overcome obstacles and change the world for the better.
Tampa Events
June 15, 2024 – Juneteenth Festival, Raymond James Stadium 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 3:00pm -9:00pm
June 15, 2024-Juneteenth Cultural Celebration 2024, Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, 10:00am – 5:00pm
June 16, 2024-Juneteenth 5K Community Walk Run, 2401 East Yukon Street, Tampa, 8:00am – 2:00pm
June 19, 2024 – Juneteenth Freedom Festival, Rebirth Gospel Park, 1924 E Comanche Ave., Tampa, 2:00pm – 7:00pm
To learn more about this historic celebration, visit https://www.juneteenth.com/