Juneteenth is coming up this month, and it’s important to recognize its history. Celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as America’s second Independence Day. While it has only recently gained national attention, it has been celebrated in African American communities for more than 150 years.

The Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 making it illegal to own slaves in the United States. Sadly, with the south at war with the Union, people in Texas remained largely enslaved until Union troops were able to arrive years later to enforce the order. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing 2,000 Union troops with him and announcing General Order No. 3.

General Order No. 3 enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, and formally informed Texans that enslaved people were free, marking the end of slavery in the United States.