Juneteenth-Emancipation Day and What it Means

President Abraham Lincoln issued the “Emancipation Proclamation” on January 1, 1863 as the nation approached its third year of bloody civil war. The proclamation declared, “that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free.”

The “Emancipation Proclamation” was an order by U.S. President Lincoln to free slaves in the 10 states still in rebellion in 1863 during the American Civil War. The Proclamation made emancipation a goal of the Civil war.

On January 1, 1863, the Proclamation changed the legal status under federal law of more than 3.5 million enslaved African Americans in the secessionist Confederate states from enslaved to free.

“Emancipation Day” is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of a people who had been enslaved in the United States and is celebrated on June 19th.

In some cities, Black people were barred from using public parks because of state-sponsored segregation of facilities. The day was first celebrated in Austin, Texas in 1867 by the Freedmen’s Bureau. In 1872 Black leaders in Texas raised $1,000 for the purchase of 10 acres of land to celebrate Juneteenth. The observation was soon drawing thousands of attendees across Texas; an estimated 30,000 Black people celebrated at Booker T. Washington Park in Limestone County, Texas, established in 1898 for Juneteenth celebrations. Attendance at the Limestone County event fell off sharply in the wake of the 1981 drowning of three local teenagers while in the custody of a Limestone County sheriff’s deputy, a reserve deputy, and a probation officer. By the 1890’s Jubilee Day had become known as “Juneteenth!”

In the early 20th century, economic and political forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations. From 1890 to 1908, Texas and all former Confederate states passed new constitutions or amendments that effectively disenfranchised Black people, excluding them from the political process. White-dominated state legislatures passed Jim Crow laws imposing second-class status. Some felt that the decline in celebration was in part because “upwardly mobile Blacks” we’re ashamed of their slave past and aspired to assimilate into mainstream culture. Younger generations of Blacks, becoming further removed from slavery were occupied with school and other pursuits. Others who migrated to the northern United States couldn’t take time off or simply dropped the celebration.

The Great Depression forced many Black people off farms and into the cities to find work. In these urban environments, African Americans had difficulty taking the day off to celebrate. From 1936 to 1951, the Texas State Fair served as a destination for celebrating the holiday, contributing to its revival. In 1936, an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 people joined the holiday’s celebration in Dallas. In 1938, Texas governor James V. Allred issued a proclamation stating in part:

“Whereas, the Negroes in the State of Texas observe June 19 as the official day for the celebration of Emancipation from slavery; and

“Whereas June 19, 1865, was the date when General Robert S. Granger, who had command of the Military District of Texas, issued a proclamation notifying the Negroes of Texas that they were free; and

“Whereas, since that time, Texas Negroes have observed this day with suitable holiday ceremony, except during such years when the day comes on a Sunday; when the Governor of the State is asked to proclaim the following day as the holiday for State observance by Negroes; and

“Whereas June 19, 1938, this year falls on Sunday;

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, James V. ALLRED, Governor of the State of Texas, do set aside and proclaim the day of June 20, 1938, as the date for observance of “EMANCIPATION DAY” in Texas, and do urge all members of the Negro race in Texas to observe the day in a manner appropriate to its importance to them.”

Now, we here in the City of Newburgh, N.Y. in 2021, which is 83 years later, are going to have a “JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION” down on our Waterfront at “People’s Park” on Saturday, June 19th, which is being sponsored by King Gale. Hopefully, the weather will be good on that day. King Gale says on his advertisement for this event, “We are no longer sleep, but WOKE! This is the place to be on June 19th from 10AM-7PM, People’s Park, Waterfront, 1 Washington Street. Be a part of the change, I’m done with talking! Newburgh Stand Up On This One!” King Gayle

I want to congratulate King Gale for sponsoring this event celebrating “Juneteenth” and hopefully the weather will be good and everyone will be able to enjoy themselves.

This is “Lillie’s Point Of View” and I’m just having my say! Now you can have yours!