In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 stating his intention to free all individuals held as slaves in secessionist states on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation itself was then issued on January 1, 1863. The version that we hold in our collection was published the following day by the War Department with the notation that “The following Proclamation of the President is published for the information and government of the Army and all concerned.” The proclamation was relevant to the War Department because also within it was the announcement that freed Black men could enlist in the Union Army and Navy. Later in January, following the enactment of this provision, Massachusetts governor John Andrew received permission from the U.S. War Department to raise a Black regiment as part of the Union Army. Enlistment began in February, and those who joined became the 54th and 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. You can read more about those regiments, and see some photographs of enlisted soldiers, in previous blog post.
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19, 1865, the date that marks the official end of slavery, when General Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, over two years after it was initially issued. Since then, Black communities have gathered on that date to celebrate Juneteenth as an Independence Day. Part of those celebrations sometimes includes a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, which is why we have chosen to display it this month. You can read more about Juneteenth on the National Museum of African American History & Culture website, and view the original Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives.
Visit us from June 3 through July 1 to see the Emancipation Proclamation pamphlet on display. Though only the first page of the Emancipation Proclamation can be exhibited, we have included facsimiles of the subsequent two pages. Also on display is a copy of the official proclamation issued by Governor Charlie Baker in 2020, which established Juneteenth Independence Day as a state holiday. The following year, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19, 1865, the date that marks the official end of slavery, when General Gordon Granger and Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, over two years after it was initially issued. Since then, Black communities have gathered on that date to celebrate Juneteenth as an Independence Day. Part of those celebrations sometimes includes a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, which is why we have chosen to display it this month. You can read more about Juneteenth on the National Museum of African American History & Culture website, and view the original Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives.
Visit us from June 3 through July 1 to see the Emancipation Proclamation pamphlet on display. Though only the first page of the Emancipation Proclamation can be exhibited, we have included facsimiles of the subsequent two pages. Also on display is a copy of the official proclamation issued by Governor Charlie Baker in 2020, which established Juneteenth Independence Day as a state holiday. The following year, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
Elizabeth Roscio
Preservation Librarian