Juneteenth and the Final Emancipation of America’s Enslaved People

What Happened in 1865?

The year 1865 marks a turning point in American history the year that slavery, after centuries of cruelty, was finally brought to an end.

While President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it only applied to Confederate states and most enslaved people remained in bondage. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom over two and a half years later.

This day became known as Juneteenth the true celebration of freedom for Black Americans.

Why 1865 Still Matters?

1865 represents more than the end of a war. It’s the beginning of a new chapter and the birth of Black liberation in America.

• It’s the year the 13th Amendment was passed, abolishing slavery in all U.S. states and territories

• It’s the year formerly enslaved people began to reclaim their lives, families, names, and identities

• It’s the foundation of Juneteenth, now recognized as a national holiday a celebration of freedom delayed but not denied

The Long Road to Galveston

Texas was one of the last holdouts of slavery. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with federal troops and announced General Order No. 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 announcement wasn’t just news, it was liberation.

Imagine generations of families who had never known freedom, suddenly being told they were no longer property that they were, at long last, recognized as human beings under the law.

After Emancipation: The Struggle Continued

Though legally free, Black Americans faced new systems of oppression:

• Black Codes that limited movement, labor, and rights

• Violence from former slave owners and militias

• No land, no wealth, no reparations

Still, newly freed communities responded with resilience, entrepreneurship, education, and cultural pride laying the groundwork for the Black excellence we celebrate today.

Juneteenth is Born

What began as community gatherings in Texas grew into a national movement. Juneteenth became:

• A time for celebration, remembrance, and reflection

• A cultural holiday full of music, food, storytelling, and unity

• A powerful reminder of how long justice can take and how it must be protected

Why We Remember 1865

We remember 1865 because it gave us:

The first real legal step toward full freedom
 The foundation for civil rights struggles that would follow
A date to honor our ancestors and empower our future

Freedom didn’t come easy. And it didn’t come fast. But in 1865, it finally came. And we honor it.