On a fateful day in the kitchen of William Neyland’s Texas Plantation, Charlotte Brooks overheard that slavery had been abolished. She stepped out of her hiding spot and declared her freedom, spreading the news throughout the plantation and running away that night with her daughter, Tempie.
Slavery had been a defining feature of the United States for centuries, from its past as the 13 British colonies to its growth as an independent country. It was a long and uneven process, but eventually the 13th Amendment was passed and ratified in December 1865, officially ending chattel slavery in the US.
To commemorate this, people in Galveston, Texas began celebrating Juneteenth on the anniversary of General Granger’s announcement. This tradition has grown to become the most widespread of emancipation celebrations. Although chattel slavery was officially abolished, racial inequality, oppression, and terror still existed. Recognizing emancipation was a way to continue fighting for equality. It was not until 2021 that Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday. Now, Juneteenth is widely celebrated as a commemoration of the end of slavery, a reminder of the struggle for true freedom, and a promise to remember the past and strive for a better future.