In 1865 on June 19, Union soldiers sailed into Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and read aloud general order No3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” 

This came two and a half years after Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.  The order freed the quarter-million slaves residing in the state of Texas. 

It was truly a day of mass emancipation and has become known as Juneteenth!

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Juneteenth!!

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