Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Yvonne Buchanan
Publisher: Lee & Low Books; 1st ed edition (October 1, 1995)
ISBN: 1880000180
Juneteenth Texas : Essays in African-American Folklore edited by Francis Edward Abernathy, Alan B. Govenar, and Patrick Mullen
Publisher: University of North Texas Press; 1st ed edition (October 1, 1996)
ISBN: 1574410180
Juneteenth
by Ralph Ellison; John F. Callahan (Editor)
Hardcover - 368 pages (June 1999)
Random House
ISBN: 0394464575
"The
People of Texas are informed that in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive office of the
United States, all slaves are free . . ."
. . . and so it
begins, the declaration made in the city of Galveston Texas, in
June of 1865 bringing word from Washington of the surrender at
Appomattox, and of the release from bondage of all Africans held
formerly as slaves. This celebration is the oldest celebration of
its kind that commemorates the freedom of African slaves from
bondage.
The first Juneteenth
occurred on June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger arrived in
Galveston Texas and read the proclamation. It took some time
for the word to spread throughout the city, but within a few short
hours, word had spread, slaves dropped their tools of bondage and
the first
celebration of freedom began.
The festivities
began on all levels. From Galveston to smaller towns in East
Texas, celebrations began ranging from small thanksgiving prayer
services to jubilant festive events. The city of Galveston
was said to have resembled a northern city by the almost lack of
black presence in the city itself. The city's former slaves were
with family and loved ones savoring the first sweet moments of
freedom with each other.
There have been many
emancipation celebrations throughout the south, celebrated on
various days in other states. The term Juneteenth itself was
not coined until the 1920's. In other places in the south, the
celebration is one where black workers have actually been
excused from work to celebrate the events. In Texas during the era
of segregation, Juneteenth celebrants were actually allowed access
to whites only amusement centers, until the inequity was pointed
out to the city commission, that access should be year round, and
not limited to one day.
Eventually the
celebration died over the years, but it experienced a rebirth when
it was noted in the 1970's that the state of Texas continued to
celebrate Confederate Heroes day, and within a short time the
annual Juneteenth celebration returned with not only the
celebration of freedom being a focus, but also a celebration of
history, and culture being at the heart of the events. The
event has spread widely now throughout the country, and is an
annual event from New England, throughout the midwest, deep south,
and to the western states.
Juneteenth is
here to stay, as a celebration of African people in the
American experience.
More Resources
by Denise Oliver-Velez
Getting Started Forum Manager
General Granger brought the news to
Galveston:
The war is over!
The Emancipation Proclamation has declared,
All who live in bondage here shall be free.
Every year in the land of the Lone Star State,
Resounding from sea to sea,
the sons and daughters of those who were held
shout:, "Free at Last, Hallelujah, I'm free."
Leaving their shackles where they fell on the ground,
after 300 years of forced bondage; hands bound,
descendants of Africa picked up their souls
departed for the nearest resting place.
Some went no further than the shack out back
hard ground for a bed hard labor to stay alive
Them that stayed said, "This is my home
Even though I can't really call it my own."
Some went to the nearest place of worship
perhaps to a clearing in the grove
or some hollow place in the underbrush
Said "Jesus, Thank you for delivering me".
Some ran as fast as they could
into the service of another man
Working for a meager pittance
one backbend short of being a slavehand.
Some went to the closest speakeasy
toasted the Union and Lady Luck,
patted each other on their whip-marked backs,
drank themselves into oblivion.
Some swam the way of the river
following the Rio Grande or the up-flowing Mississip
Hastening to get as far away as they could
Thrusting their futures into unknown sanctuary.
Some went straight to the promise land,
heart couldn't take this earthly joy no more.
Some kept running forever
like a stone unable to grasp the firmity.
No matter where they went
They said, "I an where my soul wants to be".
I will always remember; I will never forget
Now I can shout "Hallelujah, I"m free"
by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
Eventually the
celebration died over the years, but it experienced a rebirth when
it was noted in the 1970's that the state of Texas continued to
celebrate Confederate Heroes day, and within a short time the
annual Juneteenth celebration returned with not only the
celebration of freedom being a focus, but also a celebration of
history, and culture being at the heart of the events. The
event has spread widely now throughout the country, and is an
annual event from New England, throughout the midwest, deep south,
and to the western states.