JUBILEE

Texas got the big news a little late. On June 19, 1865--nearly a month after the Civil War ended and more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation--General Gordon Granger of the Union Army landed at Galveston, Texas, and read aloud General Order No. 3: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

Spontaneous celebrations broke out in Galveston and spread around the state--and thus the holiday of "Juneteenth" began. Traditionally, the date has been marked in Texas with parades, picnics, dances and other events; in 1979 state legislator Al Edwards led a successful push to make it an official state holiday. Juneteenth has also caught on elsewhere: celebrations are held in more than 30 states, and this year the holiday should have even more of a national presence. On April 10 the U.S. Senate approved a resolution sponsored by majority leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and minority leader Thomas Daschle of South Dakota recognizing June 19 as "Juneteenth Independence Day" and encouraging its observance nationally.