In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared that millions of slaves living in the Confederate States were to be set free, known as the Emancipation Proclamation…

More than 2 years passed by before that news was heard by the African Americans living in Texas.  On June 19, 1865,  Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and the African American residents were finally informed that slavery had been abolished. After learning this incredible news, the now former slaves of Texas immediately started celebrating.  June 19th was a day of prayers, singing, dancing and feasting…