Juneteenth, June 19
Frederick Douglass once famously asked, “What to a slave is the Fourth of July? " A pivotal moment in American history is Juneteenth. The name reflects the date, June 19, 1865. On that day, General Gordon Granger led Union troops into Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, declaring that all enslaved people in Texas were free. This moment profoundly changed the lives of many people. After enduring years of slavery, being separated from their families and friends, experiencing loneliness and isolation, and being forced to work against their will, they finally experienced the long-awaited freedom and a chance to reconnect with their loved ones and rebuild their lives. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marks the official end of slavery in the United States. This was due to the lack of Union troops in Texas to enforce the order. Juneteenth represents the enduring spirit of African Americans. Today, Juneteenth is celebrated across the Uni