Juneteenth is U.S. History

General Order No. 3

On June 5, 1865 the 25th Army Corp, comprised of African soldiers, captured Galveston, TX prior to General Granger arrival to read the General Order.

Many enslavers refused to acknowledge the Emancipation Proclamation or the end of the Civil War, in order to maintain the peculiar institution.

September, 2020, Gov. Murphy signed into law June 19 a state and public holiday. The third Friday in June became the first official Juneteenth designation.

“It gives me great pride to celebrate emancipation and New Jersey’s great diversity by designating Juneteenth as an official State holiday.” said Governor Murphy. “Commemorating this date is just one component of our collective approach to end a generational cycle of pain and injustice that has gone on for far too long. Every Juneteenth, we will celebrate the end of the physical chains which once held Black Americans down. While more work lies ahead to undo the oppression that remains, Juneteenth is important marker that reminds us of our mission to create a society that enables our Black communities to achieve the full equality which they deserve.”

So, this Friday, June 18 is a holiday for New Jersey citizens and its’ public employees. On that day, New Jerseyans will commemorate 156 years ago enslaved Africans in Texas and other Confederate states, had been read General Order No. 3 that freed enslaved people to work for wages from their enslavers.

At Brookdale Community College, Long Branch, under the leadership of Ed Johnson and Darrell Willis, back in the day Juneteenth was commemorated for several years in city. History, music, and performing arts events were the foundation of the festival from year to year.

Juneteenth also known as Emancipation Day, is to acknowledge that freedom was not a reality for all if some remained physically and psychologically enslaved!

Juneteenth Events

June 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Willingboro Mill Creek Park 12-4 p.m.
June 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ

African American History

1963 – Medgar Evers, civil rights activist and NAACP Field Secretary was assassinated in the driveway of his home in Jackson, MS by a segregationist

Ms. Martin is an educator, freelance writer, and 2008 Monmouth University Dr. King Unsung Hero award recipient.