JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
Galveston, Texas (JFK+50) On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger* proclaimed the freedom of slaves in Texas by issuing General Order No. 3. The order states...
"The people of Texas are informed that...all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights as well as rights of property."
Juneteenth, historically known as "Jubilee Day," became a national holiday when President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021.
*Gordon Granger (1821-1876) was born in Joy, New York & graduated from West Point in 1845. GG served in the Mexican War & received citations for gallantry. After service in the Civil War, General Granger became commander of the District of Texas.
