The Untold History of Juneteenth

The Epoch Times

Proponents of critical race theory are peddling the falsehood that Americaโ€™s history is rife with inherent racism, all the way back to the first settlersโ€™ arrival on our shores. This movement has gained so much steam that even a sitting U.S. senator, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), claimed that the โ€œUnited States didnโ€™t inherit slavery from anybody. We created it.โ€

This statement is not only erroneous, but it also shows how mainstream the lies about our nationโ€™s history have become.

Just as revisionist history is wrong to lie about Americaโ€™s past, its approach to the history behind Juneteenth is equally flawed when compared to historical fact. Far from being a stain on Americaโ€™s past, Juneteenth was historically recognized as a significant victory in helping fulfill the promise of the Declaration of Independence.

Most Americansโ€”including members of Congress who voted to establish this new national holidayโ€”donโ€™t know the full story behind Juneteenth, including why it has been long celebrated in the State of Texas.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, and announced the official enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, two and a half years after it was originally issued by President Abraham Lincoln.

At the time of Grangerโ€™s fulfillment of the Emancipation Proclamation, it was estimated that there were as many as 400,000 slaves in the state awaiting their long-deserved freedom, since many slaves had been sent to Texas from the other rebelling states as the Union armies successfully advanced. The announcement ended a terrible chapter in Texas history, and marked the beginning of a new era.

Texas, being the furthest Confederate territory away from the Union, did not enforce the Emancipation Proclamation until occupied by the Union Army. Battles in Texas even continued after Leeโ€™s surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse. The last land battle was a minor Confederate victory at the Battle of Palmito Ranch. Finally, on May 26, the Confederate General in Texas surrendered on Galveston Island.

When Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, he immediately issued an order declaring the complete and final emancipation of all the slaves. His order declared, โ€œThe 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 personal rights.โ€

As word of this declaration spread, spontaneous and jubilant celebrations broke out across Texas. This memorable day, commonly called Juneteenth, marked the final death of slavery in Texas. June 19 quickly became one of Texasโ€™s most celebrated days as groups of emancipated slaves would gather to celebrate the victory of the Union and the securement of their natural human rights and liberties.

In the aftermath of the original Juneteenth celebrations, many of the freed African Americans joined together to help found the Republican Party of Texas and then overwhelmingly participated in calling for a new Texas Constitution that better protected their civil liberties.

Although not made a state holiday until 1980, Juneteenth has been celebrated continuously since 1866 and legally recognized as the day of emancipation in Texas since 1868. Indeed, even as early as 1876 motions were made by African American Republican legislators in Texas to adjourn for Juneteenth and join in celebrating the death of slavery. Despite fighting for the Confederacy, Texas had large Unionist and Republican strongholds, and by the turn of the century, many major Juneteenth celebrations became opportunities for Texans of all racial backgrounds to come together and rejoice in the fulfillment of emancipation.

However, we ought to realize that Juneteenth was not the end of slavery either in the United States or continental America. Indeed, slavery persisted in the states until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on Dec. 6, 1865. Despite the celebrations and jubilations of African Americans that first Juneteenth holiday, the road ahead was still filled with difficulties and hardships in the fight for equal and full protection of every Americanโ€™s God-given liberty.

But in a larger sense, June 19, 1865, was one of the major culminations of the long-persevering anti-slavery tradition in America.

Although often ignored by academics and the popular narratives today, America led the world in raising the standard of liberty and fighting against slavery. In fact, as early as 1790, Massachusetts had completely eradicated slavery. By 1804, every single Northern state had passed laws for either the immediate or gradual abolition of slavery. Many of the Founding Fathers expressed a sincere hope for slavery to be forever and utterly ended.

Juneteenth was the consummation in Texas of that hope founded upon the principles of freedom in the Declaration that, โ€œall men are created equal,โ€ and โ€œendowed by their Creator with โ€ฆ life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.โ€

As Frederick Douglass encouraged Americans, โ€œThe Declaration of Independence is the ringbolt to the chain of your nationโ€™s destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost.โ€

We should not let critical race theory rewrite our nationโ€™s history, and the history of Juneteenth, to fit a political agenda. Instead, we should all celebrate this momentous day in the long fight for freedom together, and remember that the inalienable rights of โ€œlife, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessโ€ must be continually defended in every generation.

Timothy Barton is the president of WallBuilders, a national organization dedicated to highlighting the true facts about the founding of America, our Constitution, and our rich history.

By Timothy Barton

The Thinking Conservative
The Thinking Conservativehttps://www.thethinkingconservative.com/
The goal of THE THINKING CONSERVATIVE is to help us educate ourselves on conservative topics of importance to our freedom and our pursuit of happiness. We do this by sharing conservative opinions on all kinds of subjects, from all types of people, and all kinds of media, in a way that will challenge our perceptions and help us to make educated choices.

The Looming Threat To Our Homeland

After success of โ€œOperation Midnight Hammer,โ€ where U.S. military bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, the threat to America has never been greater.

Groundhog Day came late this year to the Land of Smiles.

itโ€™s the same rigmarole, on whatever pretext, the army commandeers the Thai state with vague promises to restore democracy at some unspecified future date.

Resource number one

Russia has an unsustainable birthrate worsened by mortality rate of Russian males through war and alcoholism. One solution, steal young children from other countries.ย 

Expansionist CCP Runs Amok in Pacific After U.S. Relocates Naval Assets to Mid-East

Caveat established, Chinaโ€™s been going bananas on the high seas as the eyes of the world, and U.S. military assets, hone in on Iran.

The Anti-Trump Protests โ€“ Why Are They So Important?

The anti-Trump stance is not a political position, but a desperate gesture, a mental diagnosis of those who refuse to accept the reality of the World today.

21.8 Million US Seniors Paying for Expenses With Only Social Security Income: Survey

An estimated 21.8 million senior citizens in America make ends meet solely using their social security funds, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) said.

Oil Prices Drop by 7 Percent as Marketโ€™s Iran Fear Factor Fades

Crude oil prices plummeted by more than 7% as investors were optimistic that Iranโ€™s limited retaliation could lead to a de-escalation in the Middle East.

New York Launches First New Nuclear Energy Project in US in 15 Years

Hochul directed NYโ€™s power authority to begin evaluation of techs, business models, and locations to develop stateโ€™s first nuclear power plant in 50 years.

Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Deportations to Third Countries

Supreme Court temporarily lifted lower court order blocking Trump admin from deporting illegals to so-called third countries they have no connection.

No Changes Planned for FDAโ€™s Vaccine Advisory Committee โ€˜At This Timeโ€™: Spokesperson

There are no plans to remove any members of the panel that advises the FDA on vaccines, a spokesperson said on June 20.

Trump Says Trade Deals Expected With India and Pakistan

President Trump expects US will sign trade deals with India and Pakistan, signaling growing momentum in push to reshape global trade through tariff diplomacy.

Trump Says US Intelligence Communityโ€™s Assessment of Iranโ€™s Nuclear Program โ€˜Was Wrongโ€™

President Trump said his director of national intelligenceโ€™s assessment in March that Iran had yet to decide on building a nuclear weapon was wrong.

NIH Ends Gain-of-Function Research, Implementing Trumpโ€™s Executive Order

The NIH announced the end of gain-of-function research. The instituteโ€™s update said the move is in compliance with President Trumpโ€™s EO on the topic.ย 
spot_img

Related Articles