[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Apparently we do, because after 155 years, people still think there shouldn't be one.

Slavery was abhorrent and thankfully we got rid of it. Now after all these years do not see that we suddenly need a national holiday to celebrate this.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Slavery was abhorrent and thankfully we got rid of it. Now after all these years do not see that we suddenly need a national holiday to celebrate this.

There should've been a national holiday 154 years ago. Better late than never.

[mtdjed]

Technically, June 19, 1865 does not really represent the date that the slaves in Texas were legally free. The real date would seem to be the effective date of Amendment 13 to the US Constitution that was ratified in Dec 1865. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln in 1862 and effective Jan 1, 1863 did not include Texas and several other areas oy the then USA.

It took Congress 6 months of arguing to agree to the Amendment 13. And like now, that arguing was all political. Another proud argument for our caring Congress.

It is hard to imagine how traumatic that freedom would have been to all parties. Joyous but difficult change.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Technically, June 19, 1865 does not really represent the date that the slaves in Texas were legally free. The real date would seem to be the effective date of Amendment 13 to the US Constitution that was ratified in Dec 1865. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln in 1862 and effective Jan 1, 1863 did not include Texas and several other areas oy the then USA.

It took Congress 6 months of arguing to agree to the Amendment 13. And like now, that arguing was all political. Another proud argument for our caring Congress.

It is hard to imagine how traumatic that freedom would have been to all parties. Joyous but difficult change.

Effective January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation absolutely, positively did include Texas. It included ten states: South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina and he named each one in his speech.

It took a year and a half for Texan slaves to be informed that they were no longer slaves, and it took officials from New York and New Jersey to travel there and inform them of it because their own states' officials wouldn't tell them.

[Ele201]

Originally Posted by The Chipster

It is not a surprise that most posters here are not in favor of the new Juneteenth holiday. I am also not a fan of so many holidays, but sure as hell support this one. If any historical event in our country deserves a serious national holiday, the elimination of slavery should be near the top.

I agree. It is a very important day for the African American community. They are a vital part of American history and its culture! It is right to respect and honor their community by making Juneteenth a national holiday. It’s their Independence Day.

[krick093]

They should have called it Emancipation Day which is more descriptive and appropriate than saddling it with an Ebonics-sounding name like Juneteenth.

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by Ele201

I agree. It is a very important day for the African American community. They are a vital part of American history and its culture! It is right to respect and honor their community by making Juneteenth a national holiday. It’s their Independence Day.

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by krick093

They should have called it Emancipation Day which is more descriptive and appropriate than saddling it with an Ebonics-sounding name like Juneteenth.

Someday you’ll learn about Tulsa Massacre and Ax Handle Saturday.

[Michael G.]

Look back in history, you'll find black people had white slaves also.

[Luggage]

When the government closed a few years back because of the budget debackle, very little really changed and you saw work still got done, as needed. Life goes on

[Luggage]

I'm not sure anyone could actually figure out the total wages paid by the government but the same amount of work gets done in one last day with a vacation whether or not they take off. If you run a business you surely know the work will be there the next day for you, the army Navy and Air Force are still there as well as the air traffic controllers and probably the parks and the Federal IRS and the various other departments that are not allowed to be off

[Luggage]

Honestly I would be more concerned with having more school days for our children and running it through the summer as they lose tremendous amount of knowledge for the 160 days they don't go to school during the year. I am approximating but I know Federal you must have about 215 days of schooling for the government to pay the states

[DeeCee Dubya]

You like Lincoln? Why?

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by DeeCee Dubya

You like Lincoln? Why?

For one he kept the union together but if you would like read a few of the many books written about him.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Look back in history, you'll find black people had white slaves also.

Not to mention the slave trade in Africa got its start from one tribe attacking another taking captives as slaves and selling them to Muslim slave traders.