Penny For Your Thoughts: History Exists Outside Textbooks
(featured image via Town of Carrboro)
The state of North Carolina recognizes Juneteenth, but not as a paid holiday. In 2007, however, a bill was passed to make Juneteenth a paid holiday once it is federally recognized. 47 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as a ceremonial holiday. Texas led the way to make it an official paid holiday for state employees in 1980 and recently New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia followed suit.
But let’s back up! I never learned about June 19, 1865 in school. Sure we were taught about the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves in Confederate states in 1863 but nothing about Galveston, Texas-1865. I thought about this and tried to understand why. Was it being raised in the North? How could the history books omit this important part of American history?