The 150th Anniversary of 'Juneteenth' AKA the *real* US Independence Day.

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dreams-Visions

Member
nDCQ2CM.png

iQOYkuz.jpg


Today seems to have snuck by, DV is here to save the day. June 19th, 2015 marks the 150th Anniversary of the holiday known as Juneteenth. Juneteenth is the day that many black Americans prefer for celebration over July 4th because it commemorates the end of slavery in the United States (our independence for damn sure wasn't gained on the 4th of July in 1776) and the beginning of *real* freedom for all of America's children.

Brief historical summary.
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another, is that the news was deliberately withheld by the enslavers to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another, is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All of which, or neither of these version could be true. Certainly, for some, President Lincoln's authority over the rebellious states was in question For whatever the reasons, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.

General Order Number 3

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:

"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 free laborer."
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

On traditional festivities and food.
A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today. Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing and baseball are just a few of the typical Juneteenth activities you may witness today. Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self improvement. Thus, often guest speakers are brought in and the elders are called upon to recount the events of the past. Prayer services were also a major part of these celebrations.

Certain foods became popular and subsequently synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations such as strawberry soda-pop. More traditional and just as popular was the barbecuing, through which Juneteenth participants could share in the spirit and aromas that their ancestors - the newly emancipated African Americans, would have experienced during their ceremonies. Hence, the barbecue pit is often established as the center of attention at Juneteenth celebrations.

Food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. Meats such as lamb, pork and beef which not available everyday were brought on this special occasion. A true Juneteenth celebrations left visitors well satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the next.

Dress was also an important element in early Juneteenth customs and is often still taken seriously, particularly by the direct descendants who can make the connection to this tradition's roots. During slavery there were laws on the books in many areas that prohibited or limited the dressing of the enslaved. During the initial days of the emancipation celebrations, there are accounts of former slaves tossing their ragged garments into the creeks and rivers to adorn clothing taken from the plantations belonging to their former 'masters'.
Click to expand...

Juneteenth Today.
Today, Juneteenth is enjoying a phenomenal growth rate within communities and organizations throughout the country. Institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum and others have begun sponsoring Juneteenth-centered activities. In recent years, a number of local and national Juneteenth organizations have arisen to take their place along side older organizations - all with the mission to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture.

Juneteenth today, celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. As it takes on a more national, symbolic and even global perspective, the events of 1865 in Texas are not forgotten, for all of the roots tie back to this fertile soil from which a national day of pride is growing.

The future of Juneteenth looks bright as the number of cities and states creating Juneteenth committees continues to increase. Respect and appreciation for all of our differences grow out of exposure and working together. Getting involved and supporting Juneteenth celebrations creates new bonds of friendship and understanding among us. This indeed, brightens our future - and that is the Spirit of Juneteenth.
Click to expand...

Read more about the events and the story of the date itself:

http://www.juneteenth.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Juneteenth
http://pictorial.jezebel.com/today-is-the-150th-anniversary-of-juneteenth-1712597869
http://www.theroot.com/articles/his...ack_america_got_its_own_independence_day.html

Random images:

gkbLF4t.jpg

Caption: Official Juneteenth Committee in Austin, Texas, June 19, 1900.

5gRhC8W.jpg

Caption: Marching Band Drum Major struts at a Houston Juneteenth Parade.

NhhYLhm.jpg

Caption: Group at a Juneteenth celebration, mashing some Sweet Potatoe Pie.


Happy Juneteenth, US-GAF. It's the actual day that all Americans found out there were free. Reflect on that truth and light a firecracker somewhere or something.
 
My sister posted this on facebook today and I had almost completely forgotten about it.

Although Milwaukee, Wisconsin might not be exactly known for it, we do throw a pretty nice Juneteeth Day celebration.

wisconsin.jpg
Click to expand...
 
I have a shameful confession to make, which is that I had no idea about the meaning of this day. I've never heard anyone talk about it and just thought we were celebrating summer or something. So thanks for all the info in the Op, it was very educational.
 
Good stuff. Informative thread for a lot of people who w ere likely not aware of this celebration.

It really is a shame that Grant's work as President in enforcing equality and working to make things better was so quickly sabotaged right after his presidency. Nation could be in such a different place today if Presidents after him were as strong on Equality and The rights of all instead of basically reverting everything he tried to accomplish
 
Happy Juneteenth, everyone. This country has come far, but as current events show, we have a hell of a long way to go.
 
Buffalo had its juneteenth celebration last weekend. It rained but folks still came out.

You always run into folks you haven't seen in a while at the juneteenth. It's good for that and fried dough if nothing else.
 
This is a state holiday here in Texas. There was a celebration at emancipation park here in Houston, the first public park in Texas, a park which is undergoing a massive renovation and happens to be about a quarter mile from my house. Couldn't get out due to personal reasons, but I'm sure it would have been a surreal place to be under the circumstances. I think it's high time this is made into a national holiday but I guess it would never make it due to reasons and having federal holidays in May and July. In any event it deserves far more exposure nationally than it gets.
 
Happy Juneteenth - thanks DV for making this thread.
 
Random Painted HIghway said:
This is a state holiday here in Texas. There was a celebration at emancipation park here in Houston, the first public park in Texas, a park which is undergoing a massive renovation and happens to be about a quarter mile from my house. Couldn't get out due to personal reasons, but I'm sure it would have been a surreal place to be under the circumstances. I think it's high time this is made into a national holiday but I guess it would never make it due to reasons and having federal holidays in May and July. In any event it deserves far more exposure nationally than it gets.
Click to expand...

hateradio said:
Damn Texas.

Always has to be the holdout. -__-
Click to expand...
?
 
I'd just like to say I'm glad this got more than 2 replies. That's about all I expected.

Did find some Sweet Potato Pie tonight. It wasn't grandmommas, but it served the purposes.

Ya boi will not break out in to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot tonight, though. But I'll admit to having thought about doing so.
 
Pretty cool and respectful pay to the day today at church. Congregation and pastor were in dashikis and full traditional African wear. I would've too, but I didn't know they were going to do that.
 
Dang didn't know about this, nice. Good that it is seeing a resurgence, seems it raises awareness of things more people need to be aware of.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Superman Day - Behind The Scenes Look Of James Gunn's Superman
18
1K
N0S replied
Crack The Skye (15th Anniversary Edition)
3
435
TheDreadBaron replied
TikTok has shut down in the US (UP: TikTok is in the process of restoring service in the US)
2 3 4 5 6
298
14K
phil_t98 replied
Dead Internet Theory becoming more real every day: Meta to allow AI 'Users' on FB and Insta
28
2K
Wandering Leopard replied
People need to see the Looney Tunes movie: "The Day The Earth Blew Up"
|OT| Opinion 
8
1K
MrTroubleMaker replied
Top Bottom