Today is the Juneteenth holiday. It is something that began as a black cultural holiday in Texas, and grew to become a national African-American cultural holiday, and became a national holiday on June 17, 2021.

News of the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered to Galveston, Texas, by Union General Gordon Granger. He arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865, and issued General Order No. 3, an executive order by President Abraham Lincoln. Juneteenth celebrates the day when enslaved people in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that went into effect on January 1, 1863. This was also the beginning of what we call “watch night,” during which enslaved people were waiting and praying for the start of the new year 1863 which would signal the beginning of their freedom.

Slave owners were not willing to release enslaved people because they were profiting off of their free labor. General order 3 was ignored and enslaved people were not informed, so the Union Army was dispatched to Texas to enforce the proclamation.

It is difficult for us today to imagine the relief of mind to have the curse and brutality of slavery lifted. The executive order needed the force of congressional action to enshrine that freedom into the constitution. This came with the adoption of the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution.

We should not underestimate the positive effect of that action on our African-American ancestors and for generations to follow. To this day, we should look upon that occasion as a lifting of a burden leading to a certain level of peace of mind.

Many of the spiritual blessings we receive come from actions taken in world systems and our personal lives. For example, becoming debt-free brings great relief and peace of mind. Getting our children through school and college is another example of peace of mind. Things that we pray for God to do, are sometimes manifested in our circumstances.

For a more complete understanding of Juneteenth and the history that preceded it, read this outstanding article by Dr. Jemar Tisby about the history of Juneteenth.