Republicans Celebrate Juneteenth
Although Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, it wasn’t until this day in 1865 that Union General Gordon Granger was able to get to Galveston, Texas to let those remaining enslaved Americans know the Civil War was over and all slaves were free. The Republican Party will always be proudly connected to Juneteenth because of President Lincoln’s leadership, and we enthusiastically welcome its adoption as our newest national holiday after President Trump called for it last year.
Presidential Message on Juneteenth
The First Lady and I send our warmest greetings to those celebrating Juneteenth this year.
On this day 155 years ago, African Americans in Texas first heard the righteous and long-overdue words of General Order Number 3: “All slaves are free.” These words confirmed for still-enslaved people in Texas that the Union Army would enforce and defend their freedom, announced nearly 3 years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln in his Emancipation Proclamation
Presidential Message on Juneteenth, 2019
Melania and I send our best wishes for a memorable celebration to all those commemorating Juneteenth.
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the United States Army marched into Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order Number 3, declaring, “all slaves are free.” With this order, the message enshrined in President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 was brought to Texas