On Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a national holiday commemorating June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of legalized slavery in Texas. It was originally only celebrated in Texas but has since spread across the United States and became a federally recognized holiday in 2021. Juneteenth is the central topic in Gordon-Reed’s analysis of Texas history.

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, by US President Abraham Lincoln, announcing the end of legalized slavery in all Confederate states. It was issued as a war measure specifically targeting the states in rebellion during the American Civil War. It is significant to On Juneteenth because General Order No. 3 was modeled after the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation is mentioned in the Preface and Chapter 6.

General Order No. 3 refers to the Order issued by General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, announcing the end of legalized slavery in Texas. This event is commemorated by the holiday, Juneteenth. The Order contains the language of “absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former master and slaves” (124), which is also significant to Gordon-Reed’s discussion of Juneteenth and Texas history.