Latest news with #GordonGranger
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Editorial: Why Juneteenth matters — The promise of freedom, liberty and equality must still be redeemed
Two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, the enslaved people of Texas learned — via the victorious Union Army — that they were liberated. It was June 19, 1865, when U.S. Maj. General Gordon Granger issued an order, reading: 'The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.' That 'absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property,' of course, while easy to assert on paper, has been devilishly difficult in the 160 intervening years to make real. In Reconstruction, Southern whites brutally kept freed Black people down. During Jim Crow, segregation and voting suppression and racism made the promise of fairness little more than a taunt. Even since the civil rights movement, which culminated in sweeping federal legislation prohibiting discrimination, the pernicious virus of bias infects too many institutions. Even if every last American were enlightened — which is most certainly not the case — the accumulated weight of generations of bigotry, much of it written into our laws, still weighs on the nation. Wealth and power are tightly intertwined, and the median white household has a net worth 10 times the median Black household, a disparity that adds up to more than $10 trillion. There are many reasons for this, some of which flow from individuals' decisions — we don't for a moment suggest that to be Black in America is to be invariably destined to a life of poverty and oppression — but the lasting burden of decade after decade after decade of injustice still makes shoulders ache. On Juneteenth, we celebrate those who carry that weight and dedicate ourselves to building a fairer future. _____
San Francisco Chronicle
13 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Juneteenth 2025: What's open and closed in California
As California and the Bay Area prepare to observe Juneteenth on Thursday, residents can expect closures across many government services while most commercial businesses remain open. The day, which became a federal holiday in 2021, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and has grown in national prominence over the past several years. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued General Order No. 3, proclaiming that all enslaved African Americans in the state were free. Though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect more than two years earlier, it could not be enforced in Confederate-held areas until Union troops arrived. While many Americans now have the day off, the landscape of what remains open and closed is a patchwork — especially across California. Are banks open on Juneteenth 2025? Major U.S. banks — including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank and PNC — will shutter their branches on Thursday in accordance with the Federal Reserve's holiday calendar. Capital One Cafés, however, plan to remain open. Online banking services and ATMs will still be operational. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will be suspended for the day. Will mail and shipping services operate on Juneteenth? UPS and FedEx will operate on normal schedules. Both companies confirmed they will offer regular pickup and delivery services, and their respective store locations will be open. Customers are advised to check with local branches for specific hours. Which government offices are closed for Juneteenth? All federal offices, including immigration services, Social Security offices and the Internal Revenue Service, will be closed. In California, most state offices — such as the Department of Motor Vehicles — will remain open. While Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday, it is not a paid day off for state employees, though they may choose to use a personal day to observe it. Many city and county offices in the Bay Area will close for the day, including most courthouses and public libraries. Residents planning to attend to any local governmental business are urged to check in advance. Trash and recycling pickup services will operate on a normal schedule in most Bay Area cities. Residents should place their bins out as usual unless notified otherwise by their local waste management provider. Is public transit running on Juneteenth in the Bay Area? Transit services will continue without interruption. BART and Caltrain both confirmed that they will operate on normal weekday schedules. Are stores and grocery chains open on Juneteenth? Most retail outlets and grocery chains will be open during regular business hours. Target, Costco, Trader Joe's, Walmart and Safeway will all remain open. CVS will be operating, although some pharmacies may reduce their hours. Walgreens will keep stores open, but most pharmacies will be closed, except for 24-hour locations. Major retail chains such as Macy's, Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's also plan to operate as usual. Local businesses and restaurants are likely to remain open, though hours may vary. Customers are advised to call ahead or check websites. Will schools be closed on Juneteenth? Most public schools are closed for summer break. Where schools remain in session, public institutions will generally observe the federal holiday. Policies may vary for private schools and universities. Are national parks open on Juneteenth 2025? In honor of Juneteenth, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees to all national parks. Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to over 400 national park sites across the country, including Bay Area favorites like Muir Woods and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Juneteenth, long commemorated by Black communities, was made a federal holiday in 2021 amid a renewed focus on racial justice. It has been described as America's second Independence Day. Despite growing recognition, not all states provide a paid day off for government workers. According to a 2023 Pew Research report, 28 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.
Mint
20 hours ago
- General
- Mint
Juneteenth began in Galveston, Texas — The birthplace of a national celebration
Galveston, Texas, holds a unique and powerful place in American history as the birthplace of Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3, announcing the freedom of enslaved people in Texas—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The order emphasised not only freedom but also equality of personal rights and property rights between former masters and slaves. It marked a seismic shift for the approximately 250,000 enslaved African Americans in Texas who had remained in bondage long after freedom was legally granted. The first Juneteenth celebrations began a year later, in 1866. Freed communities in Texas organized prayer meetings, barbecues, music, and gatherings to honor the historic day. Over time, the tradition spread across the US as African Americans migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, carrying the legacy of Juneteenth with them. Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth an official state holiday in 1980. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday — officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day — recognizing it as a pivotal moment in the American story of freedom and justice. Juneteenth, short for 'June Nineteenth,' represents: Freedom delayed but not denied. The end of slavery in the last Confederate state. A moment of liberation and new beginnings for African Americans. A day to honor Black history, culture, and achievements. It's often called 'America's Second Independence Day.' Today, Galveston holds special significance during Juneteenth celebrations, with historical reenactments, parades, educational events, and visits to landmarks such as Ashton Villa, where General Granger's order is commemorated. Juneteenth's birthplace is not just a city on the Texas Gulf Coast — it is a symbol of delayed justice, community resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of true equality in America. January 1, 1863 – President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. However, enforcement relied on Union troops gaining control. June 19, 1865 – Major General Gordon Granger lands in Galveston and reads General Order No. 3, announcing that "all slaves are free." This day becomes known as Juneteenth. 1866 – The first Juneteenth celebrations take place in Texas with food, prayer, music, and fellowship—starting a tradition that would spread across the country. 1872 – Formerly enslaved African Americans in Houston raise money to purchase Emancipation Park to host annual Juneteenth celebrations. 1960s-70s – Juneteenth experiences a resurgence during the Civil Rights Movement, connecting past struggles for freedom with the ongoing fight for equality. 1980 – Texas becomes the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. June 17, 2021 – Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signs it into law, officially recognizing it as Juneteenth National Independence Day. Juneteenth represents more than the end of slavery—it symbolizes: Delayed freedom and the perseverance of African Americans. Recognition of Black history and contributions to the United States. A call to continue the fight for civil rights, equity, and justice. Juneteenth is a powerful symbol of: Hope – Marking the start of a long journey toward equality. Truth-telling – Acknowledging that freedom didn't reach all Americans at the same time. Celebration – With parades, music, food, family gatherings, and community events.
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
Bank holiday today: Are banks closed for Juneteenth on June 19? Details here
Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) is a US federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day — June 19, 1865 — when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. January 1, 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. June 19, 1865 – Union General Gordon Granger arrives in Galveston, Texas, and issues General Order No. 3, officially enforcing the end of slavery in the last Confederate holdout. June 19, 1866 – The first Juneteenth celebrations are held by freed African Americans in Texas with prayer meetings, music, food, and community gatherings. 2021 – Juneteenth becomes the 11th US federal holiday, signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. Here's what to know about the status of banks, post offices, and shipping services on Juneteenth — and whether they'll be open or closed. No, most banks will be closed. Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve Bank holiday, meaning the central bank that regulates the US financial system is closed. While private banks aren't required to close, many do observe the holiday. Transactions made via online or mobile banking will not be processed until Friday, June 20. ATMs and online services remain available, though payments and transfers won't post until the next business day. Capital One (Note: Capital One Cafés will remain open) All US Postal Service (USPS) retail locations will be closed on Thursday, June 19. No residential or business mail delivery will occur on Juneteenth. Priority Mail Express will continue to operate as it does 365 days a year. Regular USPS services will resume on Friday, June 20. Yes, both UPS and FedEx will be operating as usual. UPS Store locations will be open. (Hours may vary by location — check locally.) FedEx pickup and delivery services will be running on June 19. FedEx Office locations will also be open. While USPS is closed, customers can rely on UPS and FedEx for both sending and receiving packages. No, US markets will be closed. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), Nasdaq, and bond markets will all observe the Juneteenth holiday. No trading activity will occur on June 19. The next scheduled market closure is Independence Day (July 4, 2025). No. All levels of government will observe the holiday. Federal offices will be closed. State and local government offices, including DMVs and municipal buildings, will also shut down in observance of Juneteenth. Courts and public libraries will remain closed for the day. Yes, most major businesses remain open on Juneteenth. Juneteenth is not a mandated business closure holiday for private employers. While most big-name retailers and supermarkets will be open, some small businesses may choose to close. Many companies offer holiday pay or time-and-a-half wages for employees working on the holiday. Retailers and grocery stores open on Juneteenth: Target (open under regular hours) Walmart (open unless restricted by local/state law) Fast Food & Coffee chains: McDonald's and most national fast-food brands (open) Note: While major chains stay open, locally owned stores, restaurants, or boutiques may have limited hours or choose to close. Call ahead for store-specific details.
Mint
a day ago
- General
- Mint
Juneteenth 2025: Significance, celebration and everything you need to know
The Juneteenth National Independence Day falls on June 19, and on this day in 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with 2,000 troops to enforce the emancipation of 250,000 enslaved Black people. This came two and a half years after President Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, delayed by Texas's remote location and resistance to ending slavery. While the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery nationwide, June 19 became a symbolic "Independence Day" for Black Americans. In 2021, after decades of advocacy led by activists like Opal Lee, Juneteenth became the US's newest federal holiday. President Biden, during his tenure, declared this as a new federal holiday, and America's Second Independence Day. The US celebrates Juneteenth to honor both liberation and resilience. While the Emancipation Proclamation declared enslaved people free in Confederate states, it relied on Union enforcement. Texas, largely untouched by Union troops until 1865, became the final frontier for emancipation. But Juneteenth isn't just about the past. As scholar Angela Davis notes, it's a day to recognize "progress" while confronting America's "distance we have to travel" toward justice. It embodies the unyielding hope of a people who transformed trauma into community, education, and cultural pride, a legacy that fuels ongoing struggles for equality. Celebrating Juneteenth blends reflection, joy, and action. Here's how to engage culturally: Attending local events: Join festivals, parades, concerts, parades and events featuring music, fireworks, and family activities. These gatherings, rooted in 1866 Texas church services, emphasize community resilience. Read and attain knowledge: Read works by Maya Angelou or Frederick Douglass, listen to 'Lift Every Voice and Sing." Host a barbecue with red foods—strawberry soda, watermelon, or hibiscus tea, symbolizing ancestral sacrifice and West African heritage. Educate and Advocate: Visit museums (many offer free entry), research family histories via the Freedmen's Bureau, or volunteer. As civil rights leader John Lewis urged, use the day to 'make good trouble.' Share these heartfelt messages with your loved ones, or patriots who have a history of sacrifice towards America to honor this federal holiday: "Happy Juneteenth! Today, we celebrate the fierce hope of those who waited, the courage of those who fought, and the joy of freedom that belongs to us all. Let's honor their legacy by building a future where every voice is heard." "May we keep learning, rising, and lifting each other. Wishing you pride in our history and power in our progress." 'Sending love this Freedom Day! As Maya Angelou wrote, 'You may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.' Let's celebrate resilience today, and every day.' 'Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is a journey we walk together. Thank you for being part of mine. Let's grill some red velvet cake, crank up the soul music, and toast to the ancestors tonight!' "Wishing you a meaningful Juneteenth. Remember: Nobody's free until everybody's free. Let's keep pushing for justice with joy in our hearts."
