About the
Juneteenth Freedom Cruise

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About Juneteenth

About Juneteenth



Juneteenth Freedom Cruise

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came after a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest running African American holiday.

On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Why We Celebrate Juneteenth

Through our celebrations, we reflect on independence and look back at a century-and-a-half journey of progress, paying homage to those who paved the road to freedom, in which many of whom gave their lives. Standing on their shoulders, we unite from many walks of life to honor their sacrifice and celebrate freedom

We gather to honor this journey, acknowledging the contributions of the African American spirit to our society, country, and homeland. By embracing past and future with unity, respect, and appreciation, supporters, organizers, and attendees of Juneteenth celebrations continue shaping the history of our nation and world.

juneteenth flag

juneteenth flag

Juneteenth Freedom Cruise

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed.

The troops’ arrival came after a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest running African American holiday.

On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

Why We Celebrate Juneteenth

Through our celebrations we reflect this independence and we have the opportunity to look back at this century-and-a-half journey of progress, and use this day to pay homage to those who have gone before us, those that have paved the road to freedom – for many which they lost their lives. As we stand on their shoulders. We, as a collective, from from many walks of life, are a part of this victory. We celebrate freedom.

As we all gather together, wherever it may be to pay tribute to the journey, we must continually in this and future acknowledge the many roles and contributions of the African American spirit to our society, our country, and more importantly our homeland. We must continue to embrace the past as well as the future that only unity, respect and appreciation can bring. To the countless supporters, organizers and attendees of Juneteenth celebrations hosted all across this nation and internationally, we are writing the history of our country and our world

The Emancipation Proclamation

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States following the signing of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. <

The Emancipation Proclamation

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States following the signing of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance. <

General Order Number 3

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with the following:

“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.


The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

General Order Number 3

One of General Granger’s first orders of business was to read to the people of Texas, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with the following:

“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.


The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”