Founding Partner
Emancipation Park
Juneteenth
June 19, 1865
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation recognized any escaped slave as permanently free. However, emancipation in Texas was not formally recognized until 2 years later, on June 19, 1865 when General Granger proclaimed the news on Galveston Island. This day is known as Juneteenth, and is celebrated each year.
Emancipation Park was purchased by freed slaves over 150 years ago to celebrate their freedom. African Americans in Houston collected money and purchased the land as a community- a place to celebrate Juneteenth. Reverend Jack Yates, a Baptist minister and a former enslaved man, led the effort.
