Juneteenth is a portmanteau, combining the words 'June' and the date 'nineteenth'. This day commemorates the announcement of the 'abolition of slavery' in Texas on June 19, 1865. It has been observed annually since the year 1866, more so as a large celebration almost till the early decades of the 20th century. It was declared a state holiday by the U.S. state of Texas in 1980. Under the guidance from Freedmen's Bureau, Juneteenth was first celebrated in the state capital in 1867. It symbolizes the emancipation of African-American slaves living in the Confederacy, or the southern slave states. This festivity was, in the beginning, banished to the outskirts of the cities. Therefore, black groups arranged for collective funds and purchased vast spaces to celebrate their occasions, as segregation was nearly state sponsored then. 'Emancipation Park' was what these tracts of land were called. The Booker T. Washington Park or Comanche Crossing in Limestone County is a popular emancipation park. Also, the annual promenade held in Brenham is a memorable Juneteenth celebration. Celebrations earlier meant a prayer service, inviting different speakers who would give inspirational messages, reading of the emancipation proclamation, listening to stories from erstwhile slaves, rodeos, street fairs, dramatic readings, pageants, family reunions, cookouts, parades, barbecues, and ball games. Singing of songs like 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' was a part of the tradition too. All these events were definitely accompanied with barbecue and a variety of delicacies, including 'strawberry soda-pop' that became popular due to Juneteenth celebrations. Much of this is also carried forward to this date. It was during the American Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation Order in 1862. It was effected from January 1, 1963. This important document had declared for all slaves to be freed in all the regions of the Confederate States of America. The Union had also begun to recruit former slaves for the military, in 1863. Nonetheless, the proclamation itself did not assure freedom for the bonded, as it applied to the states that were rebelling against the Union, and also because many states simply ignored it. Besides, the state of Texas was not aggressively invaded by the Union, and few such attempts were thwarted by the Confederate troops. So, the news about the emancipation proclamation had not reached the state. It was two and a half years later that the emancipation of slaves was realized by the masses. Slaves, who were now to become 'former slaves', could express themselves―the ultimate happiness they felt―by coming out and rejoicing on the streets. It was quite some time though before the emancipation could actually come into reality for them, as they had to struggle against their masters. The news of freedom to slaves spread very slowly. Many plantation owners thought of not informing the slaves of this order, and thus waited until they could reap benefits from the ongoing harvest. Although at a slow pace, the message of emancipation reached the approximate 250,000 slaves in Texas a few months after the end of the war. Juneteenth celebrations saw a decline during the 1960s, which was the period of the civil rights movement. However, its popularity was restored in the next decade, leading to Democratic Representative Al Edwards from Houston introducing a bill for declaring this day to be a state holiday. The formal Act was passed by the legislature in 1979, making the first state-sponsored Juneteenth celebration possible in 1980. ◆ African-Americans take Juneteenth to be like the 4th of July. It is celebrated by everyone just like the national independence day. ◆ Juneteenth turned out to be a crucial way for the former slaves and African-Americans, largely, to utilize the celebrations to inculcate the later generations with some fundamental ideas about racial uplift and self-improvement. Intellectual readings that spread more awareness, celebrating traditions through spiritual songs, and typical food preparations aided this process. ◆ House Bill No.1016, passed in the Regular Session of the 66th Legislature, declared the date 'June 19' to be 'Emancipation Day' in Texas, a legal state holiday. This became effective from January 1, 1980. ◆ The day was observed as a holiday by almost half of the states in the United States, until 2008. More recently, over forty states have either declared Juneteenth to be a state holiday or a ceremonial holiday. ◆ In 1996, the U.S. House of Representatives, for the first time, discussed a legislation to recognize 'Juneteenth Independence Day'. It was approved a year later in 1997 by Congress.