Galveston Celebrates Juneteenth: Reading of General Order No. 3 and Presidential Visit

Juneteenth Commemoration in Galveston

• 🗓️ Juneteenth in Galveston commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
• 📜 The central event involved the reading of General Order No. 3 at Ashton Villa, the official order that declared all slaves in Texas free.
• 🏛️ This annual reenactment, taking place for about 30 years, serves as a way to remember, reflect, and honor that pivotal moment in US history.

National Holiday and Security Measures

• 🇺🇸 In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday with the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
• 👮 Former President Joe Biden was expected to attend a Juneteenth event in Galveston, necessitating significant security measures and road closures.
• 🚗 Officials provided details on street closures, specifically along Broadway, and advised on traffic rerouting.

Additional Juneteenth Activities

• 🖼️ An ongoing Juneteenth exhibit was available at Ashton Villa, drawing attendees who were also participating in other island events.
• 💻 A full schedule of Juneteenth events in Galveston and the wider Houston area was available online.
• 📺 A Juneteenth special, "Juneteenth 1865 to 2025: Kin folk and family," was streaming for free.