It’s nice to see what was often a Texas-based holiday finally become a National Holiday in the US. The more amazing thing was how many Republicans voted with the Democrats on this. Currently, they can’t even have a compromise on what to eat for lunch. The shitbags who voted against weren’t a shock.
Personally, I think the Republicans who did agree will use this as their ’22 smokescreen over how they’re making it nearly impossible for anyone who isn’t White, to vote.
Meanwhile, here’s a synopsis of the holiday…
On June 19, 1865; General Granger of the US Army with his forces landed in Galveston (the largest city in Texas until 1900, when a hurricane ended this designation). He then announced to all the people that the Civil War was over and how the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 was now the law; therefore all the slaves were free.
Being a Yankee from Central IL, I was often puzzled. The war ended on April 9, 1865 with Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox, didn’t Texas get the memo? Obviously not. I’m willing to give Texas the benefit of the doubt in being cut off by US forces being pretty successful at isolating the Lone Star State via the destruction of telegraph lines, train tracks and the Navy’s blockade after Farragut took New Orleans.
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated by all Texans. There are parades, barbecues, dancing, music and its special drink…strawberry soda. This probably came years later since carbonated beverages don’t start to appear until a generation later. Then again, one may never know because many great things aren’t always documented accurately for posterity.
My employer already decided to make it a work holiday this year regardless of the Federal Government. I’m just happy Congress got this done in time for POTUS to sign it into law for my friends who have Federal gigs to have a three-day weekend. I’m confident the rest of America will get on board next year. What’s not to like? It’s a step forward and any movement in this direction is good given how much farther we really need to be. To me, when we get to Star Trek, then we can take a deep breath and ponder how far we’ve come.