Albert W. dent, president of Dillard University, elected president of National Health Council.

ON this date in 1991, City Auditor Wellington Webb is elected mayor of Denver, Colo. He is the first African American to hold the post.

On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, announcing the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas—marking the official end of slavery in the state. Though President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, enforcement in Confederate territories was slow and often resisted. Texas, being geographically isolated and lightly garrisoned, had maintained slavery longer than most Confederate states. With the arrival of Union troops, Granger’s order informed the approximately 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas that they were now free: “All slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.” This moment became the foundation of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It is supported by primary sources including the text of General Order No. 3 and contemporary military dispatches.

Exactly one year after the emancipation announcement in Texas, freed African Americans organized the first Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 1866. These gatherings included music, food, prayer services, and other activities to commemorate freedom and foster community among the formerly enslaved population.

On June 19, 1953, African American residents of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, initiated a bus boycott to protest segregated seating. Led by Reverend T.J. Jemison, the boycott lasted eight days and resulted in a compromise allowing Black passengers to sit in the front of buses. This action served as a model for the more extensive Montgomery Bus Boycott two years later.

President John F. Kennedy sent a comprehensive civil rights bill to Congress on June 19, 1963. The proposed legislation aimed to end segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. This bill laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On June 19, 1970, the Black Panther Party held a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., calling for a Revolutionary People\’s Constitutional Convention. The event aimed to draft a new constitution that would guarantee rights and freedoms for all Americans, particularly marginalized communities.

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution on June 19, 2009, formally apologizing for the institution of slavery and subsequent discriminatory laws. While the apology acknowledged the injustices faced by African Americans, it did not include provisions for reparations.

President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021, making June 19 a federal holiday. This recognition came after years of advocacy and symbolizes a national acknowledgment of the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 2023, communities across the United States held various events to commemorate Juneteenth. These included parades, educational programs, and cultural festivals, reflecting the growing recognition and importance of the holiday in American society.