Juneteenth and West Virginia’s Freedom Day

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, formally declaring the end of slavery in the United States. However, this monumental change did not happen overnight. It was nearly two and a half years later, on June 19th, 1865, that enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received the news of their freedom, delivered by Union army troops.

The following year, the people of Galveston commemorated June 19th as Juneteenth, celebrating their newfound freedom. Over the years, Juneteenth has been observed in various communities and states as a holiday, and in 2021, it was officially recognized as a federal holiday.

The name “Juneteenth” blends “June” and “nineteenth,” marking the day the news reached Galveston. It is also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.

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Opinion by Rev. Ron English: Telling Our Own Story

Originally published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail June 17, 2023

In 2022, Juneteenth was officially declared a national holiday. Yet before Juneteenth was awarded its due respect, the Charleston Branch of the NAACP had sponsored Juneteenth celebrations on Charleston’s West Side in 2021 and 2022.

Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday by all 50 states as celebrations have multiplied across the country. The celebration of Juneteenth tells the story of how and why its impact overwhelms the celebration of the Fourth of July for people of African descent.

The holiday commemorates the date of June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Texas and proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas. However, it’s most likely that the Black Telegraph, the medium of secrets exchanged among slaves by ingenious means of communication, had already alerted slaves in Texas before General Granger’s announcement officially arrived.

The Rev. Paul Anthony Dunn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston and a proud native of Texas has described the back story of Juneteenth as he recently defined the four original pillars of Juneteenth which included the following:

1. The reunification of the family which had been violently separated by slavery.

2. Commitment to deal with the problem of mass illiteracy among slaves who were not allowed to read.

3. Ex-slaves were encouraged to get involved in the political process by identifying Blacks who could run for office.

4. Ex-slaves were prompted to sue their former owners whose fortunes were derived from the brutalities that slaves had endured. This was the initial stimulus of the demand for Reparations.

Finally, the color red is a dominant symbol of Juneteenth because it symbolizes bloodshed and lives lost in the quest for freedom as seen in red cupcakes, watermelons and red punch.

The meaning of Juneteenth is grounded in a pattern of persistent resistance that emerged from the souls of Black folks in Texas, where freedom was delayed but never denied. As such, Juneteenth appropriately comes before the Fourth of July to certify the truth that America has yet to face concerning the reality of racism woven into the fabric of the American experience.

May the force of the celebration of Juneteenth be with us now.

Rev. Ron English is President of the Charleston Branch NAACP and former Ministerial Assistant to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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February 3, 1865: West Virginia’s Freedom Day

By Crystal Good

It is important to remember the significance of specific historical dates and their impact on our understanding of history. While Juneteenth is widely recognized as a significant day of emancipation in the United States, it’s crucial to acknowledge February 3, 1865, as West Virginia’s authentic Freedom Day. This date commemorates the liberation of enslaved individuals in West Virginia, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s history.

Despite entering the Union as a slave state in 1863, West Virginia began a process of gradual emancipation through the Brown/Lane/Willey Amendment. On February 3, 1865, the legislature ratified the Thirteenth Amendment and enacted the immediate abolition of slavery within the state, declaring all enslaved persons free. This day symbolizes the end of slavery and the state’s commitment to freedom and equality.

Black By God has been pivotal in highlighting the importance of West Virginia’s Freedom Day. Last year, we published “West Virginia’s Authentic Freedom Day: A Call for Governor Justice’s Accountability to Genuine History,” leading to a proclamation by the West Virginia Legislature. Delegate Sean Hornbuckle, Minority Chair, presented the proclamation officially declaring February 3, 1865, as Freedom Day, emphasizing the power of local activism in shaping historical narratives.

During the recent legislative session, Delegate Larry Rowe introduced House Bill 4254, intending to establish February 3 as a recognized state holiday. While the bill did not pass, its consideration was a significant acknowledgment of the African American community’s resilience and triumphs in West Virginia’s history. Black By God furthered the cause by hosting a webinar with Scott A. Mackenzie, author of “The Fifth Border State.”

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, did not apply to border states like West Virginia. These states, including Maryland, Missouri, and Tennessee, abolished slavery independently before the Civil War’s end. West Virginia’s 1863 constitution initiated a gradual emancipation process, culminating in complete emancipation on February 3, 1865. 

Recognizing February 3 as West Virginia’s Freedom Day offers a more accurate account of the struggles and victories experienced by the state’s enslaved population and corrects historical inaccuracies, creating a more informed foundation for future generations.

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2024 West Virginia Juneteenth Festivals

NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Wheeling

Wheeling Juneteenth Ceremony and Celebration
Wednesday, June 19
6 p.m.
Wheeling Heritage Port
Free
Join us at 6 p.m. at Heritage Port as we honor and celebrate African American history, music, faith, family, and freedom! The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a short ceremony. After the ceremony, music, entertainment and food trucks will follow at the south end of the Plaza.
MORE INFO

EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Charles Town

Jefferson County NAACP
Saturday, June 22
Noon -4 p.m.
Evitts Run Park, Charles Town
Free

People of Worth Juneteenth Celebration
June 22
10 a.m.– 3 p.m. 
Martin Street 
Free

WESTERN WEST VIRGINIA

Charleston

City of Charleston Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 19
11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
City Center at Slack Plaza
169 Summers St.
Free
MORE INFO

Huntington

4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 22
Noon to 7 p.m.
Ritter Park
Free
MORE INFO

SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA

Beckley

20th Beckley Juneteenth Festival
June 22
Historic Hunter’s Cemetery, located along Antonio Ave. in East Beckley
10 a.m., flag raising and prayer
The celebration will then continue at New River Park, 513 Ewart Ave. at noon with food, live music, prizes, and lots of fun.

Bluefield

Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Celebration
June 19
Noon- 4:00 pm
Downtown Bluefield, Raleigh Street beside the TailYard dog park
INFO

Look for BBG’s Juneteenth print edition!