We commemorate the people of Galveston, Texas, learning of their freedom. As you heard, it was a full two and a half years after The Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863. Now more than 250,000 formerly enslaved black Texans turned June 19 into a holiday. A holiday of barbecues, of rodeos, of singing, of red punch. (26:15–26:23)
CLAIM
Asserts the date the Emancipation Proclamation took effect.
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