Juneteenth 101 - Popular Myths and Forgotten Facts

Texas' Emancipation Day and Juneteenth National Independence Day (both known as Juneteenth) are tremendously important holidays, but both are mired in miscommunication and inaccuracy. Examples:1. The national holiday “symbolically” celebrates slavery’s end - a concept often misinterpreted as “the day slavery ended.” Fact: Texas was not the last state to outlaw slavery.2. June 19, 1865 was the day the U.S. military began enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation - a fact often misspoken as “when the military arrived in Galveston with news of the proclamation.” Facts: a) The Navy docked in Galveston on June 5th. b) The Emancipation Proclamation was discussed in over 125 Texas newspapers starting October 1862.3. Juneteenth is regularly promoted as the oldest continuous celebration of emancipation. Fact: Watchnight occurred three years before Juneteenth and has been observed in many locations annually, ever since. NOTE: Watchnight was the night when an undetermined number of enslaved and/or formerly enslaved people familiar with the Emancipation Proclamation stayed up and watched for freedom’s arrival. So, why is June 19th a national holiday? Fact: Every state where slavery was legal has an emancipation date. June 19th simply became the most popular date and was chosen to symbolically represent the others. Like it or not, absolutely nothing happened on June 19th that made emancipation in Texas more significant than emancipation in Florida (occurring just 30 days earlier); Kentucky (occurring 170 days after); or any other state. Juneteenth 101 - Popular Myths and Forgotten Facts is the original encyclopedic compendium of facts and trivia about the history of Juneteenth. The book - originally published in 2018 - was expanded when important information surfaced. All claims are supported by mid-19th century newspaper articles, military records, letters and other documents. This books content originated from scholarly research and is 100% fact-based. However, it is presented in a comical, quasi-irreverent style. I.e., scholars beware: This book was created primarily for enjoyment by the world’s Junebugs, Big Mamas, and Ray-Rays, ‘nem. True Juneteenth scholars should already know this stuff. Discover how Juneteenth’s “big bang” occurred in October 1868. Realize why watermelon consumption on Juneteenth should be encouraged, not demonized. Learn why Juneteenth was Texas’ third mass emancipation event, etc., the other two being The Runaway Scrape and Decree 56. Ultimately, both failed. Curious? There’s more. Did you know the Union Army re-enslaved at least 50 of Galveston’s freedmen hours after emancipating them? Did you know the content of General Orders #3 was published in a Texas newspaper days before General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston? Juneteenth 101 provides verifiable primary documents that support these claims and challenge other popular beliefs regarding what happened in 1865. Celebrate intelligently. Juneteenth’s purpose is much too important to be shrouded in inaccuracy. Do enjoy the legends, but know the facts ... if you’re gutsy and strong enough to handle them.IMPORTANT:This book is not for children or culturally delicate adults as it does not varnish, camouflage or sugarcoat slavery or emancipation. Read more