Columbus Dispatch: Black history is American history. Juneteenth memorializes African American triumphs

"On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, General Gordon Granger and the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas. They ordered the enslaved African Americans held captive there be set free.

This declaration by General Granger and the following celebration is considered the very first Juneteenth.

The historical legacy of Juneteenth serves as a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of African Americans who endured and overcame the atrocities of slavery. Through family gatherings, prayers and long journeys to reunite with newly freed loved ones, the early celebrations of Juneteenth symbolized hope, unity and the unbreakable bond of kinship..."

Read the full article on The Columbus Dispatch.