Fighting For This Nation

 

Ever since this nation was a collection of colonies black people have been involved in the fight for this nation's independence and freedom. However, the preservation of history with regard to this subject has not always been kind to black people's contribution. Every major conflict from 1776 to modern-day global conflicts African American people have participated in and distinguished themselves. The American African history in this country did not begin with slavery. In fact, if the history surrounding this topic were accurate, it would be prominently noted that not every black person in America during the days of slavery was a slave. When Frederick Douglass proposed to Abraham Lincoln that black people should be allowed to fight for the union in the war between the states. Many southerners in congress only saw the "slaves" as being "armed" which to them was, not good ju-ju. 

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Of course, our ancestors, many of which were born in Africa, did participate in the Civil War, and much like in the colonial war, that ended in 1776, the African American contributions stood out. The same would be true for WWI, WWII, and all the other major armed conflicts this nation participated in. In fact, if history had been accurately taught in schools back then, it would have been known that African people can commit to war and be just at victorious as anyone else on this planet. Simply sharing the knowledge about the African Queens, and Kings, who took on the Roman Empire and won not only battles but Roman's respect, might have been enough. 

Just as I point out that not all black people during the days of slavery were slaves, I also point out that not all of the slaves forced to come to America were dumb, or unskilled. They may not have understood the customs or the language, but many of the slaves, especially those who were Muslim actually had more educational knowledge than those who enslaved them. I'm talking about slaves who had built bridges, temples, and entire kingdoms before ending up a slave. A lot of the Muslim slaves went to South America and were highly regarded for their cleverness. 

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These slaves would eventually overthrow their enslavers and claim the nation of Haiti for their own. Many of those in congress, at the time, who did not want to see the slaves armed to fight for the union knew about the above history, the history that showed what armed black people with a purpose could do, and it gave them nightmares. But by then black people were no longer fighting to get back to Africa. America is the only home the ancestors of the slaves (us) have ever known. 

Still, every American African should know the history of their roots the African Kings and Queens who ruled over Egypt, and how Africa was the first true world power. That knowledge can show you what makes American Africans some of the most fierce fighters in uniform. American Africans will always protect home.

Note about the Atlantic Slave Trade

 

The Slave Trade When it came to slavery and the slave trade in America (in the form of the colonies) America should not be standout. America was one of the members of the worldwide slave trading market. During the days when slavery was, a trading commodity ships flying the flags of many different nations were committed to the global slave economy and Africa was not the only donor to the slave trade. 

In fact, the first European ships traveling to Africa brought slaves to Africa to trade for Africa's riches of gold, diamond, ivory, and more. African slaves taken from Africa were taken to the east by Muslim slave traders into the Sahara and to the west coast of Africa by African slave traders where the slaves were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to become part of the Atlantic Slave trade. Africa itself used slaves in its own economy. 

 

Eventually, the worldview on slavery would change and set in motion a chain of events that would eventually lead to the abolishment of slavery almost everywhere in the world. I have always looked at the Juneteenth Celebration as a way to honor all of the African ancestors who only knew life in chains during their lifetime and the several generations of American Africans that would follow them. Juneteenth is also the perfect time to honor all of the black Americans who first fought for the freedom of this country and the July 4th, 1776 celebration without being recognized as citizens of the nation, United States, they were fighting for and, who would later fight in the Civil War for this nation and their own freedom. 

I would also include American Africans like Nat Turner and others who chose to self-emancipate and also fight for their freedom. History is a timeline that should not be hidden or altered in any way that hides the truth. People should be allowed to learn that not all white people owned slaves and that not every black person in the United States was a slave, during the days of slavery. 

 

They should be able to learn about the abolitionist, the majority of which were white, who had just as much reason to celebrate Juneteenth as the ex-slaves did. Both groups wanted to see slavery end. A good place to start would be by doing away with two of the three blads of truth we now use your truth, my truth, and what really happened, which should all be reduced to simply, what really happened.

What did the ex-slaves and slaves eat in 1865

 

Slaves in West Africa before contact with Europeans lived mainly on a diet that was low in meat protein except for those who lived near the water where fish were plentiful. Their diet consisted mainly of maize,(corn) rice, peanuts, dried beans, and yams. After contact with Europeans and arriving in the U.S. the slave diet became a little richer based partly on the fact that a well-fed slave meant good productivity in the fields. So around the year 1865, near the end of slavery in this country, most slaves could depend on food rations that included some kind of meat or meat scraps, corn meal, lard, molasses, flour, greens, and peas. Those food items could sometimes be supplemented with fruit and nuts where available. 

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As mentioned in the title (ex-slaves and slaves) in 1865 not all of the slaves in the United States were freed on June 19th, 1865 so for those that remained enslaved the above rations list was still in place. For the newly freed slaves, freedom from slavery meant the cutting off of their usual rations with the majority of fresh meat in their area being consumed by union troops taking over the southern stronghold in Galveston Texas, and throughout the south. So, I can be really sure just what the ex-slave feeding habits were immediately after slavery ended in the south. The Freedmen's Bureau would later be set up to address this issue. A year later though, around the time of the first official celebration of Juneteenth in June 1866, things were settled enough that at the first official celebration of the end of slavery in this country at the 1966 Juneteenth Celebration there were many of the food items we have today are on the menu. 

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Peppered rabbit, okra soup, chicken, and Hominy (another form of corn usually made into grits) were a part of the first official celebration of Juneteenth. As the celebration spread outside of texas BBQed and grilled meats, greens, potato salad, cornbread, and a lot more familiar southern soul food dishes could be found at the Juneteenth Celebration. Something that has always been associated with the end of slavery celebration is the drinking of something red. Believed to be a West African tradition that survived in African people transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S., the color red was associated with prosperity in West Africa. In the U.S. the color red also symbolized the blood spilled by the African people to be free. Long before the underground railroad slaves had been self-emancipating. Sometimes peacefully sometimes not. 

There was bloodshed in slave revolts and slave uprisings to go along with the bloodshed from the thousands of black lives who fought for this nation in the war for independence, in 1776, which did not make the slaves free. The Civil War, in 1865, did result in American Africans being set free. That is what makes the color red important to the Juneteenth Celebration. While today's descendants of the slaves, like me, may enjoy many of the same foods our enslaved ancestors did the food is still just a small part of the Juneteenth Celebration.

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The main celebration of Juneteenth is all about freedom. A freedom our ancestors could only dream about. Juneteenth is also a celebration of family and a family celebration. The ancestors, slave families, could not depend on family gatherings and get-togethers because back in 1865 many slave families were separated by slavery, and sold apart from each other. Freedom from slavery meant that families could no longer be separated from each other by slavery, and that, while families might not live in the same house they could still come together for events like Juneteenth, the independence day that outshined the July 4th Celebration by making All Americans, including American Africans, free.

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Add some good-tasting soul food with something red to drink, some African drum music, sports events, and a parade and you have a family holiday celebration that outshines all the others for American African people.

The Emancipation Proclamation an Imperfect Document

The Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves in the southern United States was actually one of a few different Proclamations proposed over the years by the north and south. As to whether Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was truly an imperfect document depended on whether you were a slave living in the north or south. When the Civil War ended in 1865 if you were a slave living in the south the Emancipation Proclamation distilled- down to General Order No. 3 was the perfect document for you, because it meant you were no longer a slave and that you were free. 

At that same time if you were a slave living in a friendly northern state the Emancipation Proclamation meant nothing to you, and you were not free. Fredrick Douglass and his supporters were aware of the imperfection within Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation so it probably didn't take them long to realize that the slaves were being used as ponds by the politicians, again. 

If Lincoln thought that by threatening the south with the loss of all their slaves if they didn't rejoin the union, it appears that things were a little too far gone by the time states began leaving the union of states. Abraham Lincoln's main job at the beginning of the Civil War was to preserve the union. He could not tell northern union soldiers that they were fighting to free the slave. So his Emancipation Proclamation was worded so that northern slave owners could keep their slaves, but the southern slave owners had to give up theirs.

Frederick Douglass wanted all of the slaves freed, not just some of them. Lincoln wanted what was best for the nation, a nation that was slowly pulling itself apart. Many of his best military officers from the Military Academy were leaving to fight with the southern states. At first, Lincoln rejected Fredrick Douglass' suggestion to let black men fight for the union and their freedom. There were many in congress who were uneasy about arming that many black people.

Abraham Lincoln would not live to see it, but all of the imperfections in the Emancipation Proclamation would be mended with the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Black men and women would fight in the Civil War and southern lawmakers would be welcomed back into Washington D.C., and continue to fight for the south. The taking down of confederate monuments has resulted in a backlash against teaching black history in schools so while our unity in this nation may not be perfect, in much the same way, the Emancipation Proclamation wasn't perfect, it's still a lot better than it was in 1865.

Is Juneteenth a black thing?

 It goes without saying that black people are very happy for the freedom of our ancestors and by extension the freedom from slavery American Africans enjoy today. For hundreds of years, Africans turned African Americans labored to help build this nation receiving little more than room and board in return. They labored so long that when word first began to circulate among the slave population there was little hope their day of freedom would actually come.

But on June 19th, 1865 the words written in Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation would reach the slaves in the deep south, and not long after that, the 13th Amendment would put an end to slavery everywhere in the United States. By the time the first official Juneteenth Celebration happened on June 19th, 1866 freedom from slavery in the U.S. was finally a reality no one slave, slave owner, or slave merchant could deny.

In my opinion, Juneteenth is not just a "black thing" or not just a black celebration. Juneteenth is an American Celebration and a valuable part of American History. June 19th, 1865 was another independence day celebration, one that, unlike July 4th, 1776 included everyone in this nation. And as I always point out Juneteenth is and was a celebration for all of the white, Indian, and other nationality abolitionists who worked alongside black abolitionists to keep the wheels of the underground railroad turning in the direction of freedom.

Keep in mind that the abolitionist was also in a fight for freedom too. Assisting runaway slaves was against the law. To a big part of America, the abolitionist was considered no more than a well-organized band of thieves intent on relieving slave merchants and slave owners of their paid-for and inherited property. To participate in helping runaway slaves reach freedom abolitionists risked losing their freedom, their property, and in several cases their lives.

To the abolitionists, Juneteenth and the eventual passing of the 13th Amendment meant that white clergy, farmers, and businessmen no longer had to risk all of the above. In no way do the abolitionist's struggles equal the struggle of a people forced into slavery but for those who chose to do more than simply protest or write letters to politicians and hope. Those who chose to be abolitionists chose to put some of their own skin in the game when it came to the task of making sure that all who lived in, and who helped build this nation, could be free and protected by this nation's laws.

John Brown and his sons, who gave their lives for the anti-slavery cause, I believe, would most certainly celebrate Juneteenth, the end of slavery. His plan was to arm slaves and fight with them against the slave owners, merchants, and the powers-that-be failed, but his efforts did show a nation that not only were some white people willing to arm black people but also fight with them to end slavery.

If you choose to ignore all of the contributions and sacrifices made by all the non-African Americans like John Brown and others that led to the Civil War, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, Juneteenth, and the 13th Amendment you discount some valuable U.S. History. I say the Juneteenth Celebration could be an all-black thing if it weren't for all the other different skin colors involved in its creation.

Memorial Day History

Like so many other pieces of American History, American African contributions have all but been erased from the historical fact sheet surrounding the Memorial Day Celebration by the South, in an effort, to recolor American History. The truth is that not only did American African people fight with the Union Military for the preservation of the Union of States, but black Union soldiers also fought for their own freedom. I decided to do this post to remind people that Memorial Day was started by freed slaves in South Carolina. The Memorial Day Celebration, originally referred to as Decoration Day was made a national holiday in the United States in 1971. The Memorial Day Celebration traditions can be traced back to the days of the Civil War.

Back in 1865, with fighting between the states still in progress the Confederate military took over an old, converted racetrack and used it to hold hundreds of Union prisoners. The Union soldiers were kept in conditions so deplorable more than two-hundred-fifty Union soldiers would die from mistreatment and the conditions. The dead Union soldiers were unceremoniously placed in a mass grave and covered over with dirt. When the Civil War ended, a short time later, with most of the white population already having fled to the South. The rebels receiving word of the Confederate surrender pulled out of South Carolina, leaving thousands of slaves and freed American Africans to the new future that awaited them. 

Once the Confederate forces had left a group of American Africans aware of the mass grave holding Union troops dug up all of the Union soldier's bodies, and moved them to a new location, placing a sign over the Union troop's new burial ground that read: Martyrs of the racecourse. The fallen Union soldiers were given a proper burial and on May 1st, 1865 the first Memorial Day Celebration in this nation was held to honor the dead. More than ten-thousand American African men and women, led by groups of children their arms filled with flowers paraded around the racetrack grounds. At the New Martyrs of the Racecourse Cemetery after squeezing as many of the ten thousand people as they could into the Union soldier's final resting place.  

The ceremony began with a group of American African preachers each taking his turn at the pulpit reading scripture from the bible and praying for the lost Union souls, which was followed by the voices of the children's choir. So, while we honor all of the soldiers who fought for and made the ultimate sacrifice for this nation, let us also remember all of the black workmen who would not rest until Union soldiers were given an honorable burial, and who are the true reasons for the Memorial Day Celebration.

Juneteenth Handbook Info

The Juneteenth Fact Sheet

Download my Juneteenth Fact Sheet online and at the bottom of this post leave us an E-Mail address so that you can follow and be the first to learn of new, downloadable, printable stickers, and invitations, for Juneteenth from us here at the Juneteenth Handbook. What is the Juneteenth Fact Sheet, it's a collection of facts put together by me based on conversations I have had with friends and family over the years about Juneteenth? Not long after finding out about the Juneteenth Celebration myself, I began to realize that a lot of the facts and figures being quoted to me by different friends, family, and organizers were not matching up. For example, Juneteenth represents the end of slavery in the United States. Well, kinda, and not for all the slave population in this nation at that time. 

In my research that followed for my own video presentation about Juneteenth, titled A Time to be Remembered, A Juneteenth Story, even more, clarifying information came to light (for me) so when my video project was finished and the companion book I promised (The Juneteenth Handbook) was complete I decided to do my own Juneteenth Fact Sheet to clarify things like it was actually the 13th Amendment that ended slavery throughout the U.S. and the first official Juneteenth Celebration, was actually held June 19th, 1866, on the first year anniversary of General Gordon Granger's reading of General Order No. 3 the year before in 1865. Not gigantic deals I know, but, to me still important enough to mention.

For those of you who don't know, the word Juneteenth is a mixture of the words June and 19th, which represents the teenths of the month, in long-ago slave speak. The celebration is also known by other names like Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, June 19th, and American African Independence Day. Because Juneteenth did for the American Africans what the 4th of July, 1776 celebration did not do for American Africans, Juneteenth recognized African Americans as citizens of this nation and was quickly followed by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution.

The Juneteenth Fact Sheet and the Juneteenth Handbook E-Book are both downloadable history worth knowing. June 19th is one of the best days I know of the reflect on the meaning of the Juneteenth Celebration. Keeping in mind all of the freedoms the black Americans gained, and all the relief, and feelings of a job well done by all of the black and white abolitionists. Keep in mind that there are just as many descendants of the abolitionist around today as there are descendants of the former slaves.  

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Juneteenth is a good time to remember also that the slaves both before, and after their freedom had an active part in building this nation, and because freedom isn't free some of the slaves also had a very active part in fighting with the military of this nation for their freedom all of which should make Juneteenth and American Holiday worth celebrating. Leave a comment and share with me how you first learned about the Juneteenth Celebration.

Black Africa

When you take the time to explore Africa as the cradle of civilization you realize that there are a lot of blank and unexplained gaps in the teaching of the history of Black Africa. For example metallurgy, the Alphabet, mathematics, and methods of construction we still use today came from the African continent. All of the above should be at the forefront of any history book including the ones found here in the United States. In the history books that were available to me  African, and American-born Africans made no significant contributions to history until during, and just after slavery. I have since learned that what I was taught was not true, and that!

Some of the first great civilizations, that predate even the Roman Empire, existed in Africa. African civilizations like the Kingdom of Kush, the Nubians, and the black rulers of ancient Egypt were something I wish I had learned a lot earlier. I came to realize that many of the great Greek Philosophers first studied in Africa before taking those teachings back to Greece and claiming what they learned in Africa as their own. If you go by the version of Africa I grew up with as a child none of the African heroes shown on the television or motion picture screen were "African."

In the biblical offerings from Hollywood, like the Ten Commandments, there were of course African slaves but no true Africans in any of the lead roles. Over the years attempts have been made to bring to light the African American ancestor's struggle, but the film or video production is almost always centered around slavery. Don't get me wrong, slavery is a very big, and important part of the American African experience, and American History, but in my opinion, so are all of the black histories about Africa where it relates to the black African Queens and Kings.

It is unfortunate that at a time when this kind of historic information could mean so much to a younger generation of American schoolchildren some schools are cracking down on what history should be learned in schools. I do understand that there is only so much history you can pack into children's history books and still keep them actively engaged in learning. But, I can't help but feel that if any of the things mentioned above had been part of my grade school and high-school education my early impressions of the motherland, Africa, would not have been so negative.

Over the years a clearer picture of Africa and African History as it relates to my African ancestors has helped me unbury from the sands of time some African history I wish I had been able to learn those things when I was in school. Inspiration at an early age whether from a book, a movie, or the television screen can work wonders when it comes to the building of self-confidence, and the desire to succeed. I have become a student of ongoing African History some of which, if you've read some of my other posts, I enjoy sharing

Juneteenth Celebration Idea

One of the best ways I can think of to celebrate Juneteenth is to support black-owned businesses, especially on June 19th. and all year round. Each of us in the black community can help, at no extra cost to us, to begin curbing some of the dollars we spend and send out of the community back into the community on a regular enough basis to be productive for the black own business and the black community.  Simply patronizing a black own business can be positively impactful. There are black businesses that offer fashion ideas, self-care and health products, food and drink choices and plenty of black artists for your home decor ideas and clothes makers and sellers for your very own personal wardrobe decor.

Find one near you and be intentional, don't be afraid to approach a black own business and ask them what they need especially if there are signs that an organization or black own business is experiencing hardship. It goes without saying that all businesses need sales or offers for their services, if you can help them in that way you will also be helping to keep black community dollars circulating within the black community, and growing businesses often mean more job opportunities within the community. 

However, even if you are unable to help a business out by making a purchase, or a donation to an organization you can still spread the word about their service or business and there are several other ways you can still help a black-owned business. As a community member build a relationship with a black business and share their business information with your own social circles online, and off. There are avenues as complicated as investing in a black own business and as simple as writing and sharing a review that can be helpful to a business receptive to your offer of help.

Most Black Owned Businesses (BOB) who welcome your support hope that your interest in their business goes beyond the fact that a business is simply black-owned. They value even more your belief in their business. Most black-own-businesses value and encourage the quality of their goods and service, because that is what can make the difference between a once-in-a-lifetime customer and a loyal return customer.

Organizations like the BBB and others especially should support BOBs with incubator programs and limit some of the obstacles that can impede small businesses. Quality help and coaching should also be available t new BOBs. Organizations can be valuable small business support sources to help grow BOBs. One of the best things you can do to support your local BOB or organization is to make as many of your basic purchases for your personal and household day-to-day items from your local BOB.

 

The Juneteenth Fact Sheet

 

I made a Juneteenth Fact Sheet for the Juneteenth beginner so that at a glance you can instantly be brought up to date about the oldest American African celebration in this nation. This is also the oldest celebration of the end of slavery in this land for the antislavery faction, the black and white abolitionists who took up the cause and saw it through to the end, June 19th, 1865. And, as I point out in my Juneteenth Handbook just like the Israelites established the Passover to celebrate their deliverance from bondage our newly freed slave ancestors did the same and called their day of deliverance, Juneteenth.

I say that Juneteenth is also about family because for hundreds of years Africans, born in Africa, and the descendants of Africans, born in the Americas, had little to no control over their family unit. It was a rare occasion when one family could live and stay together under one roof and not have to live in fear of having a family member sold off for profit or punishment. Juneteenth meant more than just the end of slavery. It also meant the beginning of American African families, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, being able to stay together.

To me, that single fact about family is also worth an Independence Day celebration to be celebrated with the entire family. That would be the ideal, anyway, the reality is that today families who have way more control over when and where to see each other are just as spread out as they once were and the invention of all of our modern gadgets cellphones, computers, laptops, tablets can provide their own challenges even when a family can gather.

My grandkids who constantly amaze me with their knowledge of video games, and computers, have never seen a phonebooth, don't know how to dial a rotary telephone, and call the 45rpm records I used to make when I lived my life as a musician, big CDs. When it comes to the Juneteenth Celebration's connection to the family, I think about all of the things we take for granted nowadays, when it comes to celebrating Juneteenth and try to remember the ancestor's family pulled apart from them until a day of celebration became just another reminder of the husband, wife, son, or daughter who was no longer there.

I was celebrating Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday and because my family was a lot younger and smaller back then my first Juneteenth experience was a family experience. My learning about the Juneteenth Celebration went into hyper-drive after that and along the way, the family aspect of this celebration stuck out to me. Not only did June 19th, but signal the downfall of slavery in this country it also signaled a new beginning for the American African family. That is why my new Juneteenth Fact Sheet contains the image of a family.

The Juneteenth Fact Sheet is available on my Juneteenth Handbook website and my Juneteenth Pinterest location as well as my Juneteenth Day 1, Blog. Keep in mind for this coming 2022 Juneteenth Celebration will represent a history-making event in much the same way June 19th, 1866 did when it became the first official Juneteenth Celebration on the first one-year anniversary of June 19th, 1865. June 19th, 2022 will be the first one-year anniversary of the Juneteenth Celebration becoming a federal holiday.

 

Queen of the Kushite Kingdom

Queen Kandake Amanirenas would lose an eye in battle, cover it with a patch and continue to lead her armies against the mighty Roman Empire. Kandake or Candace means "Great Woman" and is the equivalent of queen or queen mother of the kingdom of Kush. From what I have been able to learn about this lady she was indeed a great female leader and was the leader of the kingdom of Kush, located in modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. Born between 60 and 50 B.C. she reigned as the sole ruler of Kush

Queen Amarnirenas would impress even the Roman war generals in defense of her kingdom. The Romans were on a drive to expand their empire and their wealth by demanding tribute from the Egyptians and the Greeks whose lands the Romans had conquered. The problem for the Romans came when they decided to include the African people living in the Kingdom of Kush.

Unlike Cleopatra, the Kushite Queen would not bow gracefully to the Romans' demands, Queen Amanirenas chose to protect her people from paying tribute to the Romans. Rather than give in to the Romans' demands and ultimatums the African queen went to war with Roam. Leading a skillful group of attacks Queen Amanirenas with thousands of her soldiers shocked the Romans by boldly attacking Roman territories.  To show her distaste for the Roman Emperor she and her army dethroned statues of the Roman Emperor Augustus Ceasar (24 B.C.)

Queen Kandake Amanirenas beheaded a statue of the Roman Emperor and buried it under the entryway of her palace so that everyone could walk over her enemy. This disgraceful slap in the face was yet another source of anger for Augustus Caesar to learn that Nehesu will have to walk over the mighty emperor's head to enter the kingdom of Kush. Unable to defeat the Queen of the Kushites and tired of spending large chunks of their newfound riches to eradicate the elusive battle harden queen, the Romans called for a truce.

In the end, a deal would be struck between the Romans and the Kushites that amounted to Queen Amanirenas agreeing not to attack or deface any more Roman settlements or cities and in return, the Romans would not seek tribute from the Kushite Kingdom. The riches of the Kushite Kingdom would stay within the African people's Kingdom thanks to the Kushite Queen, Kandake Amanirenas.

 

The Juneteenth Handbook

The Juneteenth Handbook was put together by me to share my very own personal experience about attending my first Juneteenth celebration, and to share some interesting information about the Juneteenth celebration collected during my research stage for this book's companion video/DVD A Time to be Remembered, A Juneteenth Story.  My handbook also offers a brief history of the Juneteenth celebration that includes many of the people, places, and things associated with the oldest celebration of the end of slavery in this nation. Much of this history I did not know before starting my Juneteenth knowledge-gathering journey.

My other motivation behind this handbook was the joy of knowing that some of these interesting Juneteenth snippets, cut from my video production because of time considerations, would not be lost to the editing room floor. The fact that Juneteenth is currently a federal holiday is amazing to me and was one of the driving forces for me creating the video, and the handbook, thinking that if enough Americans became aware of the truly historic significance of the Juneteenth celebration it might help tip the scale all the way over to; make Juneteenth a national holiday.

In my retired life, I realize that I not only love history, but I also love uncovering hidden history. So far, it's been history hidden from me, I'm sure if my college days had bent more toward African American history rather than electronics, the history I am learning about today would have shown itself to me much earlier. Still, many of the things I have learned about slavery and the Juneteenth celebration these days I wish I had known when I was in school.

The truth of the matter is that the Juneteenth celebration, which culminated with the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments did something the July 4th, 1776 celebration did not do. The Juneteenth celebration made the United States a more perfect union because, on June 19th, 1865, all Americans, black and white, were finally entitled to equal protection under the laws of this nation, something that was not true on July 4th, 1776.

The thing to remember is that Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, just some of the other names for the Juneteenth Celebration, is an important part of American History and is considered the longest-running African American, and end of slavery celebration in the U.S. North Dakoda, and Hawaii used to be part of the last three states in the union with no prevision to celebrate Juneteenth. Each of those states has since approved legislation to honor Juneteenth as a State Holiday leaving South Dakoda the only no Juneteenth celebration holdout.