Juneteenth, long celebrated in Texas to commemorate the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the state, is now a federal holiday. The holiday is celebrated on June 19 because it was on that day in 1865, when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect (January 1, 1863), to ensure that all enslaved people in Texas be freed. Reflect on Juneteenth, remember the history, and honor the spirit and contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of America. Happy Juneteenth! https://bit.ly/2AvbxUb
Photo credit: The Boston Globe