As Americans, we must educate ourselves and learn all of our history. To learn more about this historic day visit www.juneteenth.com.
I’ve done some research to reinforce what I already knew and to learn even more. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:
Juneteenth commemorates African American Freedom in The United States of America.
Although President Abraham Lincoln signed The Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, not all African-American slaves claimed their freedom that day.
It wasn’t until Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, that the last of the enslaved people won their freedom in America.
General Order #3:
“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.”
Many of the newly freed slaves celebrated by drinking red soda, a beverage they weren’t allowed to drink as slaves. Eating and drinking red-colored food remains a tradition today.
Many families will gather together for a barbecue. Some popular menu items include: beef brisket, potato salad, Marcus Garvey bean salad, red-velvet cake, and strawberry pie.
The red color symbolizes perseverance and the struggles the slaves endured.