Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free. This day has come to be known as Juneteenth, a combination of June and 19th. It is is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a national holiday.
Special Display of the Emancipation Proclamation and ‘Juneteenth’ General Order No. 3, June 18–20
The National Archives in Washington, DC, will display the Emancipation Proclamation and ‘Juneteenth’ General Order No. 3 from Tuesday, June 18, through Thursday, June 20, 2024. Read the press release.
General Order No. 3, issued June 19, 1865. (RG 393, Part II, Entry 5543, District of Texas, General Orders Issued)
Emancipation Proclamation, page 1. January 1, 1863. (RG 11, General Records of the United States Government)
Articles
National Archives News: "National Archives Safeguards Original ‘Juneteenth’ General Order."
National Archives News: "Noted Historian Discusses Juneteenth’s Place in American History"
National Archives News: Conserving a Legacy of Freedom: Preparing General Order No. 3 for Public Display
Rediscovering Black History Blog: “Juneteenth: The Celebration of a New Freedom in America”
Video Presentations
Juneteenth: A Celebration (2022)
Annette Gordon-Reed discusses her book On Juneteenth (2021)