06/19/2026
On June 19, 1865, more than 2,000 Union troops led by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce that enslaved people in Texas were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. For approximately 250,000 enslaved Texans, freedom was finally enforced and recognized.
As you go through your day, take a moment to reflect on what freedom means, why it matters, and the ongoing pursuit of liberty and equality for all.