William Pryor: “on Saturday, June 18, 2005, Americans honored the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration…”

“on Saturday, June 18, 2005, Americans honored the 140th anniversary of Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States. This day celebrates African American freedom and gives us a chance to reflect upon our Nation's history, our present, and our hope for the future. On June 19, 1865, MG Gordon Granger arrived in Texas to proclaim emancipation to Texas slaves. Though President Lincoln had delivered his Emancipation Proclamation more than 2 years earlier, this date marks the first time slaves in Texas and other surrounding States learned of their liberation. General Granger stated, ``The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.'' The term ``Juneteenth'' is derived from a combination of the words ``June'' and ``nineteenth'', referring to the official date of the Texas announcement, although the holiday is now celebrated on the third Saturday of June. Following their emancipation, African Americans continued to confront immense hardships in the face of economic, social, and political disfranchisement imposed by a brutally repressive social system.…”