Celebrations mark Juneteenth with music, food and storytelling
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in September 1862, but word was slow getting to Texas. It wasnât until June 19, 1865, just after the Civil War ended, that U.S. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the word slaves had been freed. The first celebrations to mark the date, then known as Jubilee Day, happened on June 19, 1866, and included barbecues, music, prayer services and other activities. Jubilee Day later became Juneteenth. The tradition of celebrating the day waxed and waned in the South over the years, but recently Juneteenth celebrations have gained popular...
Source: fredericksburg.com