CIRCLEVILLE, OH – As the nation prepares to observe Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025, reflections on its historical significance highlight a pivotal moment in American history.
The celebration traces back to “Freedom’s Eve” on December 31, 1862, when enslaved and free African Americans gathered for Watch Night services, awaiting the Emancipation Proclamation’s effect at midnight. Issued by President Abraham Lincoln, it declared enslaved people in Confederate states legally free, a message spread by Union soldiers, including many Black troops, who marched through southern plantations and cities in 1863.
However, freedom’s reach was limited. In Confederate-held areas, like Texas, emancipation lagged. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865—two months after the Civil War’s end— that approximately 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing freedom for over 250,000 enslaved Black individuals. This day, dubbed “Juneteenth” by the newly freed, marked a delayed but transformative liberation. The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified later in 1865, fully abolished slavery nationwide.
The post-emancipation Reconstruction era (1865-1877) brought hope and struggle, as formerly enslaved people reunified families, established schools, pursued political office, and sought compensation from slaveholders—remarkable achievements given over 200 years of enslavement. Publishers in the North, responding to demand, produced decorative versions of the proclamation, such as a 1864 engraving by R. A. Dimmick, now housed at the National Museum of American History.
Though long celebrated within the African American community, Juneteenth remains lesser-known to many Americans, earning its status as the country’s second independence day. The National Museum of African American History and Culture continues to preserve this legacy, offering a space where the spirit of hope endures, sharing Juneteenth’s story and fostering new narratives.
Events happening in Ross County around Juneteenth and throughout the month
