“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 personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.” —General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston, June 19, 1865
For further reading:
- http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm
- http://www.nationaljuneteenth.com/
- Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African American Folklore - Issue 54 by Francis E. Abernethy
For younger readers:
- Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom by Charles A. Taylor
- All Different Now: Juneteenth: The First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
- Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux and Drew Nelson
- Juneteenth by Julie Murray
- Juneteenth by Robin Nelson
- Juneteenth by Denise Jordan
- Juneteenth: Celebrating The End of Slavery by Janey Levy
- Neecie Celebrates Juneteenth by Anna Pearl Barrett
