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.

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