The Significance of Juneteenth

Black Lives Matter

Grandmothers Who Help would like to share the Significance of Juneteenth through our black history exhibit. We want to help pass down the importance of this holiday to our children and our community. People all over the world know that this day serves to reconnect the Black Diaspora!

January 1, 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation was read enslaved African American who were being held in bondage.
The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact due to the small number of union troops, this executive order could not be enforced on January 1, 1863.
After General Lee surrendered in April of 1865, the forces were strong enough to make a change in the life of the African American People in Galveston Texas.
On June 19, 1865 the lives changed for a quarter of a million enslaved African American People in Galveston Texas.

Major General Gordon Granger along with approximately 1,800 soldiers arrived in Galveston Texas June 19, 1865 to assume command of the District of Texas under what was known as General Order Number 3, (Two years after the signing of The Emancipation Proclamation).

The people of Texas were informed that under this proclamation from Abraham Lincoln, the Executive of the United States, all men women and children being held in bondage are now free.
The relationship was to be now considered employer and hired labor.
Juneteenth is the oldest celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.