Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Equality

Texas History and Free Family Events 
Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth, a day celebrated every June 19, holds great significance as it embodies our nation's second Independence Day and serves as the oldest nationally celebrated remembrance of the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war was over and that slavery had been abolished. Major General Gordon Granger conveyed the following General Order No. 3 to the residents of Galveston, stating:

"The people of Texas are hereby informed that, as per a proclamation from the United States Executive, all slaves are now free. This signifies an absolute equality in personal rights and property rights between former masters and slaves. The bond that previously existed between them is now akin to that of employer and hired labor. The freed individuals are advised to stay peacefully in their current homes and engage in paid work. They are explicitly told that gathering at military posts is not permitted and they will not receive support for idleness, whether there or elsewhere." 

The original version of General Order No. 3 was located in 2020, by staff at the U.S. National Archives.  

It's essential to recognize that Juneteenth and Emancipation Day are different. Juneteenth signifies the celebration of freedom in Texas. At the same time, Emancipation Day marks explicitly the day President Lincoln freed around 3,000 enslaved people in Washington, D.C. This occurred eight months before the Emancipation Proclamation and nearly three years before enslaved people in Texas were freed.  Reference: National Geographics 2023 Article (6 min. read)

Juneteenth has allowed the freedom for individuals to define their identities independent of racial character, embrace their ethnic pride, and work towards creating lasting economic prosperity for generations to come.

Here are some highlighted Juneteenth FREE events to explore on
June 19, 2024, throughout Texas. 

Galveston, TX (where it all started!)

• Historic Reenactment March to the Galveston Courthouse to hear General Order No. 3; Declaring "All Slaves Are Free!" 
• 45th Annual Juneteenth Proclamation Reading @ Ashton Villa Ballroom
• Juneteenth Family Fun Day @ Reedy Chapel AME

Austin, TX

• Stay Black and Live Festival @ George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
  

Houston, TX

• Juneteenth Family Fun Day @ Emancipation Park

Dallas, TX

• Juneteenth: Experience the Culture @ AT&T Discovery District

Odessa, TX

• 5 Day Freedom Celebration @Woodson Park

San Antonio, TX 

• Juneteenth Summer Solstice @ Gardopia Gardens

Taylor, TX

• Juneteenth Parade & Brunch @ Dickey-Givens Community Center

Waxahachie, TX

• NAACP, Juneteenth Celebration @ Penn Park

These are just a few of the many celebrations taking place throughout Texas.

For additional information on the history of Juneteenth, visit the Texas State Historical Association website. You can also view resources in the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by searching the catalog. 

Please Note: In observation of Juneteenth, the TPEA office will be closed on June 19, 2024. For questions or comments, please email us at membership@tpea.org