June 19th, 1865, also known as Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved persons in the United States. Can any one of us imagine the sacrifices and spirit-crushing setbacks that slaves were forced to endure? Day after day, year after year, with the idea of freedom just a dream. Then imagine how they felt on June 19th, 1865 when Gen. Gordon Granger read President Abraham Lincoln’s General Order Number 3 in Galveston, Texas, informing the slaves that they were finally free.
Elsie Holden Lovick, my grandmother was the granddaughter of Thomas Holden, a slave. I met Thomas Holden my great great grandfather just prior to his death. I recall that every teacher in our school wanted to meet him. For them, he was more than just a man and his story, he was a direct link to a shared history.
I owe gratitude and honor to those who endured lifelong adversity and hardship.
Every day, especially today, I want to thank my ancestors and all the men, women and children who suffered under the cruelty of slavery.
The text of General Order Number 3 read by General Granger is as follows:
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 personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.
John Lovick
Mill Creek
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