June 19, 2015, is the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth

[merrily]

You can help make that even more meaningful

http://www.juneteenth.com/150th%20anniversary_campaign.htm

Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas in June 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Celebrated on June 19, the term is a contraction of June and nineteenth,[1][2] and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in most states.

The holiday is observed primarily in local celebrations. Traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing", and readings by noted African-American writers such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou.[3] Celebrations may include parades, rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, park parties, historical reenactments, or Miss Juneteenth contests.[4][self-published source]

https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Juneteenth (I strongly recommend reading the entire article.)

On the positive side, it marked the end of slavery under color of United States law. On the other side, of course, slavery under law should never have existed and Juneteenth was well after Lincoln had signed, as an EXECUTIVE ORDER USING HIS POWER AS CIC, the Emancipation Proclamation (signed September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863)

See also http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/hidden-history-of-juneteenth

There has been a movement to make Juneteenth a national holiday. It is a state holiday in a number of states.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Thanks, I saw the reference on FB today

but now I get the reference.

[merrily]

2. I am not sure I buy all the legit sounding reasons it took Texas so long, but the end of

slavery under color of US law was indeed a great day, despite what African Americans have had to face since.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. Yup.

Galveston, TX.

It took 2 years after the actual Emancipation before the poor souls in TX received word.

http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm

[merrily]

4. Before the PTB of Texas ACKNOWLEDGED having received word.

There were newspapers, broadsides, leaflets, Pony Express, US mail, interstate travelers, etc.

Something that profound, that basic to the Southern economy?

The proclamation had been signed in September. I don't believe they didn't get the news for nine months I just don't.