June 19, 1865, marks the date that Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. His announcement, General Order Number 3, reads in part:
“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor.”
The moment was significant. Texas had been the last of the Confederate states where enslavement continued, despite President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in 1863 and despite the end of the Civil War on April 9, 1865.
PilieroMazza is committed to self-education with regular training and open and safe conversations on the impacts of slavery to this day. We are honored to work with a diverse team of professionals who are integral to the Firm’s success.
Want to learn more about Juneteenth? Below are resources we encourage you to visit.