Understanding history of Juneteenth; federal holiday since 2021
MILWAUKEE - The federal holiday Juneteenth will be celebrated on June 19. The holiday observes the date "the people of Texas were informed all slaves are free."
"It's a dark side of history. It's American history," said Tommie Boudreaux, who is with the Galveston Historical Foundation.
Two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emanicipation Proclamation, Union General Gordon Granger was given the command to enforce Lincoln's executive decree.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox6now.com/www.fox6now.com/content/uploads/2024/06/932/524/KIM-Juneteenth-PKG-061824_WITI2f8f_189_mov_00.00.01.20.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
On June 19, 1865, the general marched into Galveston – one of the last Confederate holdouts. General Granger then issued General Order No. 3 which advised slaveholders of the law and promised the freed "absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property."
The first Juneteenth was celebrated on Galveston Island -- combining the words "June" and "Nineteenth." The African American observance spread as former slaves moved across the south.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Milwaukee held its first Juneteenth celebration in 1971.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox6now.com/www.fox6now.com/content/uploads/2024/06/932/524/KIM-Juneteenth-PKG-061824_WITI2f8f_189_mov_00.02.46.42.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
"The festival is a chance to bring everyone together," said Tony Kearney, Executive Director of the Northcott Neighborhood House.
Juneteenth recognizes the struggles of our past and looks with hope to the future.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox6now.com/www.fox6now.com/content/uploads/2024/06/932/524/KIM-Juneteenth-PKG-061824_WITI2f8f_189_mov_00.04.15.45.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Matthew Goss was crowned Mr. Juneteenth 2024.
"One of my biggest hopes in life is just to be a light for people – young men, specifically," Goss said.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
"It's a celebration, just having my peers around me," said Zoe Chambers, Ms. Juneteenth 2024.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 after decades of lobbying to make it a national holiday.