Juneteenth

March 3, 2015

On June 19th, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, Union General Gordon Grange read aloud the contents of “General Order No. 3,” announcing the total emancipation of slaves throughout the reunited United States.  Jubilant former slaves rejoiced in the streets.  The following year, Galveston’s free men and women of color organized the first of what has since become the annual celebration of “Juneteenth” as an official holiday in Texas and throughout the nation.  Join Volunteer Docent Stephen Pinkerton on the 150th anniversary of this momentous occasion for a guided tour of the graves of key members of Boston’s African American community who lived through the Civil War and celebrated the abolition of slavery in their own time.

 

Funding for programs has been provided in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Massachusetts Cultural Council

About the Author: Jessica Bussmann

Director of Education & Visitor Services View all posts by Jessica Bussmann →

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