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The History of Juneteenth
Tales of Texas Legends
In November 1862 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that as of Jan. 1, 1863, all persons held as slaves in states that were in rebellion against the United States would be freed. Since states of the Confederacy did not regard Lincoln as having any authority over them, the Proclamation had little impact on actually freeing slaves. But with the signing of the surrender agreement ending the Civil War in April 1865, Federal troops began implementing the decree.
Gordon Granger was named commander of the Department of Texas on June 10, 1865, and nine days later he arrived in Galveston to assume his duties. Among his first acts was to officially declare that the slavery was abolished, prompting great celebrations among those former slaves who heard Granger’s announcement. Over the next six weeks Granger traveled to the interior of Texas to spread the news of freedom to the state’s 250,000 slaves. Also included in Granger’s announcement was a parole of Confederate soldiers and an annulment of all laws of the Confederate government. He urged the freed slaves to arrange labor contracts for wages with their former owners and to wait for further directions from the newly created Freedmen’s Bureau, which was designed to help them transition from slavery to freedom.
Since the 19th of June was the day that actual freedom came, Texas Blacks have celebrated that date rather than the January 1 date pronounced by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The state’s first celebration came in Austin in 1867, and by 1872 it was listed on the calendar of public events in that city. Black groups collected funds and purchased property for Juneteenth celebrations. In Houston, for example, Blacks purchased a 10-acre tract and called it Emancipation Park, which was a common designation for such locations. One of the largest gathering places, comprising 20 acres, was in Limestone County near Lake Mexia. As many as 30,000 celebrants gathered at that location to recall the ending of bondage for American Blacks.
Juneteenth’s popularity declined somewhat in the 1960s when the civil rights movement promoted the concept of integration. But a renewal of interest occurred in the 1970s. In 1979, State Representative Al Edwards introduced a bill making Juneteenth a state holiday, and it was signed into law by Governor Bill Clements. The first state-sponsored celebration was held the following year. As Black Texans have relocated to other states, they have taken Juneteenth with them, and the Smithsonian sponsored a massive Juneteenth celebration in 1991. Juneteenth provides an opportunity for all citizens to recognize a major milestone in the quest for human freedom.
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Dr. Tommy Stringer is executive director of the Navarro College Foundation. He may be reached by e-mail at tommy.stringer@navarrocollege.edu. Want to “Soundoff” on this column? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
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Top Ducks
The Mexia chapter of Ducks Unlimited has taken the title of top fundraiser in the state of Texas, surpassing Houston, which was the lead group in 2008. The Mexia Chapter raised in excess of $115,000 in 2009, according to J.E. “Yazoo” Thomas the East Texas Regional Director for Ducks Unlimited.
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Navarro awards first Crouch Scholarship
During the 1980s, Navarro College had a large population of students from the South Pacific Islands of Micronesia
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American Red Cross drill to take place Saturday
On Saturday, the American Red Cross, Navarro Radio Club and Ellis County ARES/RACES will conduct a training drill in Ennis, with permission of the homeowners on Centennial, Highland and Carrol streets.
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County commissioners to meet on land sale
Navarro County commissioners will meet in a special meeting at 4:15 p.m. Friday to discuss an offer on some land for sale.
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Church News
Greater Love Outreach Fellowship Church, 700 E. Park Ave., will host a sister to sister conference, sponsored by the women’s department, at 7 p.m. March 10-19. The theme will be “I’m not afraid to tell my story.” Mothers are encouraged to bring their daughters and daughters to bring their mothers to hear some powerful speakers. Elder William Lewis Jr. is pastor and Marylyn Lewis is first lady. Women’s department overseer is Evangelist Mary Jo Dixon and women’s department president is Barbara Kelley. For more information, call (903) 874-7273.
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Local Beat
March 13
A low-cost equine vaccination clinic, sponsored by the Navarro County Animals at Risk Foundation, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Beck Animal Hospital, 2508 W. Second Ave. Cost of vaccinations will be: coggins, $15; West Nile, $25; VEWT/Rhino, $32.50; and rabies, $12.50. Farrier service to be provided by John Mulloy, graduate of Texas Horseshoeing School, for trims at $30 per horse. For more information, call NCARF, (903) 654-3668; Linda, (903) 422-1077; or Judy, (903) 519-1084. -
Entertainment Beat
March 12
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke from 8 p.m. to midnight. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811. -
Texas gas prices up 3rd straight week
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Texas ed board debates race in history classes
AUSTIN, (AP) — An effort to require Texas students to learn about congressional Medal of Honor recipients turned into an emotional debate about race for the State Board of Education.
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The big picture
Almost the first painting visitors see entering the Pearce Western Art Museum is a brilliantly colorful painting of the Grand Canyon. The artist who painted it is Brenda Howell, who is scheduled to teach a workshop on art and painting March 26 and 27 at the Cook Center.
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