Originally published 6/19/21. Revised 6/19/23. Revised 6/12/24.
We’ve come a long way, America!
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Fredrick Douglass and other abolitionists, as well as the Republican Party, Union soldiers, and President Abraham Lincoln, Juneteenth Day is a reason for celebraton. These individuals led the way to the freedom of enslaved people (of all races) in America.
As I study more World and American History, I realize the importance of fulfilling our purpose while we can. We will never know the extent to which our finite actions influence others but we can be certain that God has a plan of omniscience. Obedience to our callings in life impacts unknown aspects of humanity. We can only thank God for those that respond for the greater good.
As Americans we can also celebrate that we live in the only nation that fought a war to end slavery!
So why aren’t we celebrating Jubilee Day, too, as a nation? For as long as I can remember we (members of the NAACP) celebrated Jubilee day on the first Sunday of January to commemorate the emancipation proclamation, which Republican President Abraham Lincoln signed on January 1, 1863. I haven’t been active in the NAACP for years now, but I am grateful that we used to do acknowledge that date, because it stuck with me as an amazing part of our history. I truly hope the organization still celebrates on the first Sunday of the year along with this new federal holiday, Juneteenth Day.
As a Floridian it is most important to me and I hope to other natives of the southernmost state that on the 20th of May in 1865, General Edward McCook read the emancipation proclamation in Tallahassee, Florida, acknowledging that the enslaved in the state of Florida were free!
My family in Kentucky celebrates that state’s acknowledgment of the emancipation proclamation on the Eighth of August. Back in the day when my mother was young and would visit Kentucky during the summer, she said they put on an amazing affair, with food and music. They had a real celebration for the entire community.
More and more, I see parts of my state starting to hold their own May Twentieth Day celebrations here in the sunshine state. I think it is good for our children to know what was accomplished and the people largely behind that act of justice. In the south, it is often lost that Democrat southerners were behind the Jim Crow laws and not the other party.
So although I am grateful that on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger notified Texans that the slaves were free, I ask, why can’t we celebrate them all?
Let’s celebrate them all!!! Happy Freedom from Slavery in America, State by State!!!
In the words of civil rights activist, Bob Woodson, “Black Americans have never been defined by slavery.” And if we follow Jesus and accept Him as our savior, we not only are free from the identity of slavery, but we are also spiritually free from any other types of bondage formed against us. ❤️🙏🏽❤️
Images are from History.com.
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