The History of Emancipation & Juneteenth is a 90-minute slide presentation which begins with a short history of the Abolitionist movement from the 1830s through the Civil War. Then the discussion will turn to all the slavery connected causes of the Civil War and the growing hue and cry for the end of slavery. Additionally, the election of Abaraham Lincoln will be examined spotlighting his views on slavery and African Americans. Through the course of the talk, we will also see a revealing view on how his ideas and opinions evolved over time.

The second part of the presentation will look at some of the events that led up to The Emancipation Proclamation such as Freemont’s Emancipation, Hunter’s Emancipation, and the General Benjamin Butler’s orders on “Contraband of War.” Then, it will turn to the Emancipation Proclamation itself; the timing of it, the politics of it and who was actually freed by it.

The third part of the presentation will focus on the gradual emancipation of slaves by Federal Troops as they conquered the different Confederate states, the end of the war and the movement of troops into Texas and the famous issuing of General Order No. 3 on June 19th, 1865 at Galveston Texas and how the news spread through Texas and the reaction of the slaves to tidings of freedom!

The final part of the talk will showcase how Juneteenth went from a local Galveston celebration to a national holiday.

Presented by Christopher Daley.

Refreshments will be served.  Registration is requested, but not required.

 

This program is sponsored by the Woburn Public Library Foundation.