This'n'That; June Nineteenth #1 Juneteenth

Freedom-or-Independence Day
    Not so surprisingly, most negros today can not define "Juneteenth!"  Sometimes called 'Freedom' or 'Independence' Day, it occurred on this date in 1865.  Way back in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation became official on January First.
    This had little affect on the negros in Texas; there were few federal troops with which to enforce the new 'law-of-the-land.'  On June 19, 1865, a large contingent of federal troops landed in Galveston, Tx., with the news that the Civil War was over and all enslaved peoples were now free.  This date became "Juneteenth" and as such, a day of celebration of their freedom.
Til Nex'Time....
http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm