Juneteenth didn’t just happen in Texas, it happened all across the south. One of those places was in Macon, Georgia. We all should know what Juneteenth is. It marked the “true” end of slavery. While the Emancipation Proclamation legally ended slavery on paper in 1863 (issued in 1862 and went into effect in 1863), everyone didn’t hear about it until months or even years later. So that means that slavery was still taking place even after 1863. 2 years later in 1865, the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the release and freedom of the enslaved black people in Texas. Soon after, many other southern states began to receive this same action, with many black people calling it “freedom’s arrival.” Macon too had it’s own “freedom’s arrival” sometime between April 20, 1865. The city was surrendered exactly at Tattnall Square Park to the Union troop General Wilson. Later that year in July, a formal proclamation was created and signed in the Bibb County courthouse that ended slavery. Adjusting to this new life without bondage proved to be difficult. So the US Freedmen’s Bureau arrived in Macon to provide assistance to the formerly enslaved. Unfortunately, some found it to be so difficult that they returned to plantations and others died of illness and starvation. But we continued to survive. We celebrated “freedom’s arrival” with what was called “Juneteen” which has evolved into what we now know of as “Juneteenth.” Every year, it’s celebrated on June 19 with food, fellowship, and remembrance. Texas was the first state to recognize the holiday, with many others soon to follow. It finally became a federal holiday in 2021. Black people have always celebrated Juneteenth because it’s a symbol of our fight for freedom in this country. It also serves as a reminder that the fight never ends. We must continue to fight for the freedom. Our rights are being challenged over and over again. And that’s not going to stop just because our ancestors fought the good fight. We must continue that fight. How are you going to celebrate Juneteenth this week? Share your plans in the comments! Join us in Macon by visiting www.douglasstheatre.org for more info. - @maconblackpages