Happy Juneteenth!

Submitted by david.rockwood on
Juneteenth graphic

It took  two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation before all of the slaves in the United States were finally freed. Several pockets resisted or hadn't been informed. The last group to be freed was in Galveston, Texas. On the morning of June 19, 1865, over 2,000 federal troops arrived there and Union Major General Gordon Granger and his men marched throughout the city, formally proclaiming the end of institutionalized slavery.

June 19th has been celebrated for years across the country, often called "Juneteenth" or "Freedom Day," and is now the newest Utah State Holiday. Watch Utah Governor Cox describe this new state holiday. Because June 19th falls on a Sunday this year, the holiday will be observed on Monday June 20th. Happy Juneteenth, Freedom Day!