The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, had declared all enslaved people in Confederateheld territory to be free. However, enforcement of the proclamation depended on the advance of Union troops. Texas, which was the westernmost Confederate state, had experienced an increase of enslaved people during the Civil War due to planters and slaveholders fleeing the fighting in the east, and saw little presence of Union forces. As a result, slavery continued in Texas long after the proclamation was issued.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3 which informed the enslaved African Americans of their emancipation. Although popular legend states that he read the order aloud from the balcony of Ashton Villa, it is more likely the printed copies were posted in public places such as churches.

In the immediate aftermath of Granger’s announcement, some freed slaves left Texas to seek better opportunities in other states. However many remained in Texas since, without their own land or other assets, they needed to work for their former owners as sharecroppers or wage labourers.

The anniversary of the end of slavery in Texas on June 19 was celebrated the following year as ‘Jubilee Day’. Over time this became known as Juneteenth, and the annual commemoration spread beyond Texas. In 2021 Juneteenth was made a federal holiday by President Joe Biden when he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.