As I write this, the streets of Central East Austin where I live are jam packed with cars, parked in every imaginable spot within a half-mile around Rosewood Park, which itself is filled with families, great-smelling barbecue and music. The cause: 142 years ago today Gen. Gordon Granger landed on Galveston Island with 2,000 Yankee troops and emancipated the first Texas slaves. Blacks in Texas have enjoyed annual "Juneteenth" celebrations ever since. The photo at the left is from a Juneteenth festival in Austin in 1900, found on Wikipedia.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Happy Juneteenth!
As I write this, the streets of Central East Austin where I live are jam packed with cars, parked in every imaginable spot within a half-mile around Rosewood Park, which itself is filled with families, great-smelling barbecue and music. The cause: 142 years ago today Gen. Gordon Granger landed on Galveston Island with 2,000 Yankee troops and emancipated the first Texas slaves. Blacks in Texas have enjoyed annual "Juneteenth" celebrations ever since. The photo at the left is from a Juneteenth festival in Austin in 1900, found on Wikipedia.
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