Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol
Juneteenth
Statements
Part Five
Vice President Kamala Harris (The photograph was provided courtesy of The White House.)
During the past few days, Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol detailed aspects of the history of emancipation of slaves in the United States of America. This edition of the five-part news series includes statements from our leaders and leading institutions in the United States of America regarding Juneteenth.
Recall that Juneteenth was not the first celebration of emancipation by freed slaves in the United States of America. African Americans who were emancipated by an act of the United States Congress held celebrations in the District of Columbia in 1862. This was more than three years prior to Juneteenth.
Recall that the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the United States of America. President Abraham Lincoln explicitly did not emancipate enslaved people in states that were not in rebellion against the United States, including Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and what is now West Virginia. President Lincoln explicitly did not emancipate enslaved people in sections of Louisiana, including New Orleans and neighboring parishes, and in portions of Virginia, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, and other sections of the Hampton Roads as well as the two counties of Virginia on the Delmarva. These specific areas of Louisiana and Virginia were already under the control of the Union Army at that time.
Recall that the 13th Amendment to the U S Constitution did not end slavery in the United States of America. The 13th Amendment only applied to "…any place subject to their jurisdiction." Treaties had to be negotiated and approved between the United States and nations not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Recall that emancipation of slaves in what is now the State of Oklahoma did not occur until four treaties between the United States and five Native American nations located in the Indian Territory were signed in 1866. Specifically, the treaty with the Seminole Nation on March 21, 1866; the treaty with the Choctaw Nation and the Chickasaw Nation on April 28, 1866; the treaty with the Creek Nation (Muscogee Nation) on June 14, 1866; and the treaty with the Cherokee Nation on July 19, 1866.
Recall that, most importantly, slavery ended because of the victory of the military of the United States of America over the military of the Confederate States of America. Recall that President Andrew Johnson indicated the insurrection (the American Civil War) was finally ended in August of 1866. The end of the war took place in Texas. President Johnson issued a proclamation on the 20th of that month in that year that stated "And I do further proclaim that the said insurrection [the American Civil War] is at an end and that peace, order, tranquility, and civil authority now exists in and throughout the whole of the United States of America."
Recall that slavery did not end in the United States of America on June 19, 1865. Slavery did not end in the entire country because of action in Galveston, Texas, on Juneteenth.
Please also note that while the 13th Amendment to the U S Constitution outlawed slavery in most cases, slavery is still legal in the United States of America as "…punishment…" for criminal activity when "…duly convicted…" The 13th Amendment explicitly states:
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
The following statements are ones attributed to some of our leaders and to some of the leading institutions in the United States of America:
"On June 19, 1865, freedom finally came for the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas. That day, which would become known as Juneteenth, the [Union] Army arrived to enforce what had already been the law of the land for two and a half years — the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, we recognize that Juneteenth not only marks the end of America's original sin of slavery but also the beginning of the work at the heart and soul of our Nation: making the promise of America real for every American."
"On Juneteenth, may we celebrate the essence of freedom that galvanized the country, the progress we have made in our Nation, and all that is possible when we march forward together. May we all recommit to redeeming the very soul of America – choosing love over hate, unity over division, and progress over retreat."
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth Day of Observance. I call upon the people of the United States to acknowledge and condemn the history of slavery in our Nation and recognize how the impact of America's original sin remains. I call on every American to celebrate Juneteenth and recommit to working together to eradicate systemic racism and inequity in our society wherever they find it."
Joseph Biden
President of the United States of America
Statements included in "A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2024"
June 18, 2024
"And so, as we establish Juneteenth as our newest national holiday, let us be clear about what happened on June 19, 1865 – the day we call 'Juneteenth.'"
"Because, you see, that day was not the end of slavery in America. Yes, on that day, the enslaved people of Galveston, Texas learned that they were free. But, in fact, two and a half years earlier, the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the Confederacy."
"And still, let us also remember, that day was not the end of slavery in America. The truth is it would be six more months before the 13th Amendment was ratified, before enslaved people in the South and the North were free."
Kamala Harris
Vice President of the United States of America
Remarks at the signing of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by President Joseph Biden
June 17, 2021
"Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19. It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. More specifically, it recognizes June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger, along with a unit of Union soldiers, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were now free."
"Although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it only applied to states that had seceded from the Union, and it could not be enforced everywhere until the Civil War ended in 1865. Slavery wasn't abolished all over America until the 13th amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865."
Statements included in "Juneteenth: An American celebration"
U S Forest Service
June 19, 2020
"Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States."
"Juneteenth marks our country's second independence day."
Statements included in "The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth"
Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture
"Slavery Didn't End On Juneteenth. What You Should Know About This Important Day."
Title of News Story
NPR
June 17, 2021
"The 13th Amendment did not include Native American lands under tribal autonomy, where later treaties would negotiate the end of slavery there."
Clarification added to the News Story of June 17, 2021
NPR
July 14, 2022
"Juneteenth is a day of celebration and reflection – a day when we mark the moment that slavery ended for all Black Americans and reflect on who we are as a nation."
Xavier Becerra
U S Secretary of Health and Human Services
Statement on Juneteenth
June 19, 2023
"Juneteenth commemorates the true end of slavery in the United States."
Daniel McKee
Governor of Rhode Island
Statement as the Governor Signed Legislation Establishing Juneteenth as a State Holiday in Rhode Island
Published on June 19, 2023
"Juneteenth is the oldest known U S celebration of the abolition of the chattel slave system, and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. Celebrated on June 19, it became an official national holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day by law on June 17, 2021."
"Although the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U S Constitution in December 1865 ultimately abolished slavery in all areas of the nation, Juneteenth captured the jubilation of the end of slavery in the Confederacy. In 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas…"
Statements in "Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom"
National Park Service
"While slavery did not finally end across the United States until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 6, 1865, June 19 came to be commemorated in many African-American communities as a 'second Independence Day.' In 2021 it became a federally recognized U S holiday, which Yale honors also."
Statement of "Juneteenth 2024: Celebrating the end of slavery in the U S"
Yale News, Managed by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications
Yale University
June 13, 2024
"Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States."
Statement in "Juneteenth: Fact Sheet"
Congressional Research Service
Updated: June 13, 2024
Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol – Gaelic – Irish – for "Perspectives On Life" is a column focused on aspects of accountability and responsibility as well as ways people look at life.
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