Juneteenth

    The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi sang their hearts out this year at the Gospel by the Sea Concert in Galveston.  There was a beauty pageant, barbecues...strawberry soda

Two and a half years is a long time for news to travel.  That's how it was in Texas in 1863.  Negroes were free everywhere but here.  Slaves were freed on January 1, 1863.

"We never celebrated the Fourth of July.  Our celebration was in June, Juneteenth."

Negroes in Texas had to wait for their freedom.  Why?
Because a messenger never made it with news of the Emancipation?
Or because a messenger never made it with news of the Emancipation Proclamation?
Or because slave owners withheld the information?
Or because Union troops decided to let plantations reap one last harvest of cotton?

Whatever the reason, slaves of Texas got screwed.

"The people of Galveston are informed that in accordance with Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

Many left at once for Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Encouragement, picnics, barbecue pit is the center of attention.

State holiday in Texas.