Justice, Freedom, Equality: Galveston,
Texas celebrates Juneteenth
Forever Free!
SPONSORED BY Visit Galveston
It’s January 1st, 1863. President Abraham Lincoln has issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring “all persons held as slaves” shall be “thenceforward, and forever free”. But the United States is entering its third year of the American Civil War. Slowly, the document spreads across the country, taking even longer to reach removed states, such as Texas. Loathing of change, the state continues to delay its recognition of the proclamation. And two years pass as those wrongfully enslaved endure, unknowing of their freedom.
However, freedom is a matter of time. On June 19th, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops travel across Galveston Island. Riding on horseback, they announce the contents of General Order No. 3, reading the document aloud at several historical locations along the way. In doing so, they formally notify about a quarter of a million Black and African American people that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them. While once known as “Emancipation Day,” Juneteenth has become a holiday that celebrates equality, justice, and above all, freedom.
Juneteenth is almost here!
And there is no better time to recognize and celebrate African American history. Signed as the eleventh American federal holiday in 2021, June 19th carries deep roots in Galveston, Texas, serving as the birthplace of the history behind the day. Even after over a century, this remembrance of emancipation thrives in the modern day. So escape to Galveston and discover the origins of Juneteenth, celebrating in the ‘only place where you can stand where it all began’!
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Celebrate Where it All Happened
Even though Juneteenth is a single day, Galveston is honoring the holiday all month! Whether familiar with the culture or excited to learn, there are events for everyone over June.
Honor pioneers of equality at the Emancipation Celebration at The Grand 1894 Opera House on June 8th, or laugh your way through an all-star comedy lineup at the 2nd Annual Juneteenth Comedy Fest on June 14th. If you prefer larger communal gatherings, join the 2024 Juneteenth Festival at the McGuire Dent Recreational Center on June 15th! With food, vendors, and music, good vibes are a guarantee. And don’t miss the crowning ceremony for the 2024 Galveston Country Lil Juneteenth Princess and Prince!
Looking for some excitement? Head to the Juneteenth Parade & Picnic on June 15th. Starting at 1PM, the historic Juneteenth parade runs for an hour, rolling into a picnic afterward at Wright Cuney Park. Other entertaining June 15th events include the 2nd annual Juneteenth Sneaker Ball and the 4th Annual B.L.V.D. Juneteenth Sidewalk Poetry Show!
But if you can only visit one day, make it on June 19th! Begin at the Ashton Villa with the 45th Annual Juneteenth Proclamation Reading and stand where those freed heard the document aloud for the first time. For families, extend the celebration with the Juneteenth Family Fun Day at Reedy Chapel AME. Appreciate the national historic landmark with guided tours and form a few family memories with activities for kids. Last, to end out the holiday, don’t miss the emancipation march, reenacting the historic walk to the Galveston Courthouse to hear the General Order No. 3.
While there are too many events to list here, Galveston hosts a variety of Juneteenth galas, services, and special celebrations. For more information regarding any mentioned above, or for a comprehensive list, visit here.
Juneteenth All Year Long
While June 19th is a splendid occasion to celebrate African American history, it isn’t the only time. Besides June events, Galveston naturally hosts several historic landmarks, such as the “Absolute Equality” mural, near the NIA cultural center. Created by Houston-based public artist Reginald C. Adams, this 5,000-square-foot art installation displays the local journey of Black Americans out of slavery and into freedom. Other yearlong activities, like the self-guided Freedom Walk, allow you to further place yourself in the past. Across five historic sites, visit the locations that played a crucial role in Juneteenth, featuring the US Customs House, Reedy Chapel, and Pier 21.
Connect With the Past, March into the Future
Galveston is undeniably rich in both landscape and history! While known as a vacation destination for its beaches, family attractions, and cruise port, visit for Juneteenth! Stand, listen, and walk like those over one hundred years before. And witness why the Galveston community upholds and celebrates this historic event, knowing well the significant step it made toward absolute equality!
For more information regarding Galveston Island and local events, visit here.
Test your knowledge of Juneteenth & African American Heritage!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Standing at Broadway Avenue and 24th Street, this building is one of the first brick buildings in Texas and is known as a gathering site for Juneteenth celebrations.
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US Customs House
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Osterman Building
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Ashton Villa
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Reedy Chapel
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US Customs House
Osterman Building
Ashton Villa
Reedy Chapel
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Where is the birthplace of Juneteenth?
Houston
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Texas City
B
Galveston
C
Freeport
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Houston
Texas City
Galveston
Freeport
Located in Galveston, which is the name of the first public library for African Americans in the state?
Rosenberg Library
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David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library
B
Jack K Williams Library
C
Galveston County Law Library
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Rosenberg Library
David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library
Jack K Williams Library
Galveston County Law Library
Which document did General Gordon Granger famously read aloud across Galveston Island?
Emancipation Proclamation
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Common Sense
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General Order No. 3
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Declaration of Independence
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Emancipation Proclamation
Common Sense
General Order No. 3
Declaration of Independence
Jack Arthur Johnson, the first black world heavyweight boxing champion, was nicknamed the…
“Texas Tank”
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“Galveston Giant”
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“Buoy Boxer”
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“Flying Fish”
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“Texas Tank”
“Galveston Giant”
“Buoy Boxer”
“Flying Fish”
In Texas, Juneteenth was declared a state holiday in…
1980
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1990
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2000
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2010
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Reedy Chapel AME, Texas’s First African Methodist Episcopal Church, was established in…
1854
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1867
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1873
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1881
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1867
1873
1881
Which name is Juneteenth NOT known by?
Emancipation Day
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Jubilee Day
B
Island Day
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Freedom Day
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Emancipation Day
Jubilee Day
Island Day
Freedom Day
Thanks for participating!
LEARN MORE
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Houston
Texas City
Galveston
Freeport
Rosenberg Library
David Glenn Hunt Memorial Library
Jack K Williams Library
Galveston County Law Library
Emancipation Proclamation
Common Sense
General Order No. 3
Declaration of Independence
US Customs House
Osterman Building
Ashton Villa
Reedy Chapel
“Texas Tank”
“Galveston Giant”
“Buoy Boxer”
“Flying Fish”
1980
1990
2000
2010
1881
1873
1867
1854
Emancipation Day
Jubilee Day
Island Day
Freedom Day
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For a more steered experience, enjoy the Juneteenth and Beyond Guided Tours, the very first African American guided history tour franchise. And at a minimum, try out Galveston’s African American History Tour using the Visit Galveston app, where you can choose which landmarks to visit and learn about. As for those wanting something interactive, look no further than the “And Still We Rise…” exhibit at Ashton Villa. Detailing Galveston’s Juneteenth story, this carriage house showcase explores the background and consequences of General Order No. 3 from 1865 to the present day!
Juneteenth Festival
Juneteenth Parade
Juneteenth March
Juneteenth Equality Mural
Galveston Symphony Orchestra
Galveston Symphony Orchestra
Juneteenth March
Galveston Symphony Orchestra
Galveston Symphony Orchestra
Juneteenth Festival