Jackson, TN celebrates June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth), the day the slaves in Galveston, TX, learned they were free. A hundred and forty years ago today Union General Gordon Granger brought the news. He stepped off the boat, unto the beach and read this:
The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free labor.
These reports from Houston,
Austin,
Ft. Wayne, IN, and other places, indicate that the once well observed day is being revivified. Also see
this.
In my neck of the woods, Roanoke, Virginia, also held a Juneteenth celebration, on which the
Roanoke Times reported. Yours truly is quoted on the subject. FYI.