TYLER, Texas — On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston learned the Civil War was over and they were free.
According to Juneteenth.com, on that day, Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Texas and read General Order Number 3 which stated:
"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 rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."
The news came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
The annual celebration on June 19 later became known as Juneteenth, which is now celebrated all over the U.S. In 2021, Congress also passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Below is a list of Juneteenth events in East Texas:
TYLER
June 18, 2021 - Juneteenth Celebration at The Folmar
- 14405 County Road 192 in Tyler
- 5:30 p.m.
June 18, 2021 - Ms. Juneteenth Gala at Bethel Bible Hope Campus
- 504 32nd St. in Tyler
- 7 p.m.
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Freedom Parade
- Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Tyler
- 10 a.m.
MARSHALL
June 18-19, 2021 - Juneteenth Celebration at the George Washington Carver Community Center
- 2302 Holland St. in Marshall
- Friday - 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday - 9 a.m.
LONGVIEW
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Celebration at Broughton Recreation Center
- 801 S. MLK Jr. Blvd. in Longview
- 8:30 a.m.
GLADEWATER
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Parade in Downtown Gladewater
- Commerce St. and Walter Derrick Dr. in Gladewater
- 10 a.m.
JACKSONVILLE
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Celebration at Lincoln Park
- Park Drive at Davis Avenue in Jacksonville
- 10 a.m.
NACOGDOCHES
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Parade at TJR Elementary School
- 411 N. Mound St. in Nacogdoches
- 10:15 a.m.
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Celebration at Festival Park
- 507 S. Pecan St. in Nacogdoches
- 11:30 a.m.
LUFKIN
June 19, 2021 - Juneteenth Parade at Brandon Park
- 1612 Keltys St. in Lufkin
- 11 a.m.
KILGORE
June 19, 2021 - "Together We Stand" Juneteenth Unity Day
- 401 E. Main St. in Kilgore
- 12 p.m.
June 19 , 2021 - "Come Together" Concert at Kilgore City Park
- E. North St. in Kilgore
- 6 p.m.
If you know of a local event celebrating Juneteenth, text the event information to (903) 600-2600.