On “Freedom’s Eve,” Dec 1, 1863, the 1st Watch Night services took place as Americans waited news of the Emancipation Proclamation. At 12 AM, unrestrained joy erupted—3.5 million enslaved souls were “thenceforward, and forever free!" Union soldiers rushed to spread news, but not all gained freedom. It took 2.5 years—June 19, 1865—JUNETEENTH—-for over 250,000 Black Americans still held in bondage in TX to taste freedom.
1/16
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Following Antietam, Lincoln spent much of 1862 writing the Emancipation Proclamation, being lobbied by Black leaders to include military service by Black men, & to expand its scope. While the Proclamation did not promise freedom to all enslaved people, it did provide a plan to free the enslaved people in the occupied territories of the South and to begin enlisting black men to fight in the Civil War.
2/16
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It was well known that Lincoln would finally sign the Proclamation on January, 1, so Black Americans gathered where they could to await news of the signing. On New Year’s Day 1863, Black Americans in Beaufort, SC, gathered to hear Col. Thomas Wentworth Higginson read the Emancipation Proclamation. He remembered the moment…”I never saw anything so electric; it made all other words cheap…”
3/16
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Frederick.Douglass, in Boston, recounted the Watch Night at Tremont Hall, where he and others eagerly awaited the signing of the document. As the night progressed, anticipation mounted for the long-awaited moment when the Proclamation would come into effect on Jan 1, 1863. Douglass wrote that each passing minute seemed to dampen their hopes, as the clock struck 8, 9, and then 10 o'clock, with no news reaching them.
4/16
At last, a messenger pushed through the crowd, confirming long-awaited news. The day of Jubilee had arrived. 4 million souls freed! Black Americans spilled into the streets, joy overflowing. Shouts reverberated through the air.. even strangers embraced one another. Tears of elation & relief streamed down many faces, while others bent their knees in prayer. Many, including Douglass, would never forget that day.
5/16
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But in reality, the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t instantly free any enslaved people. The Proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. However, as Northern troops advanced into the Confederate South, many enslaved people fled behind Union lines.
6/16
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Actual Emancipation took time. As the Union Army rolled into different regions of the South, they emancipated the enslaved people there. SInce this happened over time, each region had their own dates. The enslaved people in the mid-Atlantic recognized April 4 as their Emancipation Day, when abolition came to DC. MS celebrated on May 8; in FL, May 22; AL & GA, May 28; MO, August 4; and KY & TN, August 8.
7/16
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In Texas, slavery continued as the state experienced no large-scale fighting or significant presence of Union troops. Many enslavers outside the Lone Star State moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery. After the war ended in the spring of 1865, General Granger’s arrival in Galveston that June signaled freedom for Texas’ 250,000 enslaved people and later solidified by the 13th Amendment.
8/16
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Final emancipation from the Emancipation Proclamation happened on June 19, 1865 in Galveston Texas, two months after the surrender at Appomattox. Commemoration of this date would become the celebration JUNETEENTH. Enslaved people in states that fought for the Union — Missouri, Delaware, Maryland, and Kentucky — did not become emancipated until December 6, 1865, with the passage of the 13th Amendment.
9/16
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Although emancipation didn’t happen overnight for everyone—in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after harvest season—celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people, and Juneteenth was born!
10/16
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From 1865 forward, Black Americans gathered in TX every year to honor and celebrate freedom. These celebrations evolved into what is known as Juneteenth, but were also 'Jubilee Day' and 'Emancipation Day.’ Black Americans were prohibited from using public spaces to celebrate, so they collected money to purchase land to carry on the tradition. Emancipation Park in Houston, TX was purchased in 1872 for $1,000.
11/16
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Juneteenth became more than just a celebration of freedom. It became a way for families to reunite; a way for Black Americans to organize politically, economically and spiritually; a way to educate and inspire future generations to come; and a way to show their pride, strength, and resolve.
12/16
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In 1979, TX declared Juneteenth as a state holiday, setting a significant precedent. Presently, 45 states acknowledge or officially observe Juneteenth as a state holiday. Over the course of many years, activists and members of Congress, including many ordinary Black Americans, tirelessly championed the cause, proposed legislation, rallied support, and advocated for both state and national recognition.
13/16
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In response to passionate support from advocates and the Congressional Black Caucus, the Senate passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 15, 2021, with unanimous agreement. This act officially recognizes Juneteenth as a federal holiday. The House approved it on June 16. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law, establishing Juneteenth as the 11th federal holiday in the US.
14/16
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This historic moment marks the first time a new federal holiday has been established since the designation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
From modest Texas origins, Juneteenth became a cherished celebration observed in cities and towns across the United States of America. This day commemorates freedom, Black American accomplishments, promotes American democracy, & fosters reverence for diverse cultures.
15/16
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Resources
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57493282
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/douglass-emancipation-boston.htm
Books
Frederick Douglass, My Life and Times (Boston, DeWolfe and Fisk, 1892), Pg. 426.
https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/dougl92/dougl92.html
Gordon-Reed, Annette. On Juneteenth. Liveright, 2021.
16/16
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@Deglassco excellent thread!
A few years ago my daughter and I were at my brother’s home for July 4th and his birthday celebration. We walked in the house and my SIL shouted “Happy July 4th!” My daughter responded “I don’t celebrate July 4. Our Independence Day is Juneteenth.” My SIL, a conservative Christian, stuttered and spit a bit then walked off in a big snit. 😂Happy Juneteenth! The real Independence Day!!
Thank you for this write-up on Juneteenth. It really paints a vivid picture of the elation that people felt during that historic moment.
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon Wonderful writeup! #juneteenth
Puts the current move by the state of Texas to subvert and suppress Houston voters in an interesting light. Voter suppression is racism.
@Deglassco @[email protected] @BlackMastodon
In my opinion Juneteenth should be celebrated in the same way as Independence Day.
And this should be done worldwide if you would ask me.
Emancipation Proclamation stands in a row with the MagnaCharta.
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