Texans celebrate Juneteenth

Texans each year mark the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation that ended slavery.

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, Union Gen. Gordon Granger made the announcement in Galveston that slavery had ended in Texas. The news of freedom gradually traveled to slaves throughout the state, as individual plantation owners read the proclamation following the end of the Civil War. This milestone is known as Juneteenth and is celebrated annually on June 19, following the Texas Legislature’s passage of an act declaring it a state holiday in 1979.

The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) heritage travel guide, African Americans in Texas: A Lasting Legacy, showcases dozens of sites in Texas and explores African American heritage through powerful tales of survival and innovation, as well as the impact of civil rights, and religious, political, and other inspirational leaders. The recently updated, full-color travel guide contains a detailed chronological introduction to African American history in Texas, a multi-page timeline, and nine thematic sidebars on topics such as education, freedmen’s communities, agriculture, and Buffalo Soldiers.

The companion website, www.africanamericansintexas.com, features sites highlighted in the booklet, as well as maps, a photo gallery, additional sites not included in the booklet, and travel planning resources.

To learn more about Juneteenth celebrations occurring in your community, visit www.juneteenth.com.