Last week, Past President Tink Hill gave us another one of his historical talks. This one was about the Juneteenth holiday. He started by telling us some of the history that led up the Civil War, including the Missouri Compromise in 1820, the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, and the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dred Scott in 1857. When the Civil War, the main goal was to preserve the Union, but as Commander in Chief, in Sept 1862, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation- eff Jan 1, 1862. The proclamation applied only the confederate states, which were in rebellion. In states that did not rebel, slave owners could keep their slaves. As Union army took over places, they would free the slaves. General Granger landed in Galveston and read the proclamation on June 19, 1865, which now is the date on which the Juneteenth holiday celebrates the end of slavery. In Austin, the earliest celebration was at 13th street and Walnut Street and other areas. It is now celebrated at Rosewood Park. The 1968 People’s March - led to more celebrations of Juneteenth and Emancipation Day. In 1980, Texas recognized it as a holiday, and now all but 5 states recognize the day. This holiday is not just for Black Americans, but for all Americans.