Sarah and I went to a service last night at our church, and came home with a better understanding and better historical facts about what is called Juneteenth Day, or Freedom Day.
Let’s all admit that, most of us, not affected by some happening that doesn’t affect us, pay little attention to its occurrence. That was me and Juneteenth!
Having heard Lincoln’s word read in its entirety, and hearing things we had never heard before, Sarah and I declared we were going home and look those facts up ! Some of those questions were about why certain counties is Virginia and Louisiana were exempted from freeing their slaves.
Since the country was still consider at war, only the
counties controlled by union troops were able to enforce this proclamation. And it took two years before Texas even got word of it until the Union General Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19 in 1865….two years after Lincoln’s proclamation. Texas has celebrated that day as Freedom Day since 1866.
So,, why is all this important in our 2024? Why do we gather to hear stories of our history? I believe now more than ever, when forces try to divide us, when schools are told by some that our children don’t need to know things that make us feel bad, when we search for ways to make this country the refuge and gateway for a better life, we need to honor all people seeking those same things.
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