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THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Juneteenth: A celebration of freedom
On June 19, 1865, from the balcony of his quarters at the Ashton Villa in Galveston, Texas, Union Major General Gordon Granger (1821–1876) announced the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. He served as Union commander of the Department of Texas from June 19 to August 6, 1865. Granger’s General Order No. 3 declared 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 news spread north to enslaved people of the American Indian nations (in present-day Oklahoma) at different times during the summer of 1865.
Eventually, the month “June” and the day “Nineteenth” on which the proclamation was read in 1865, combined to become the holiday’s name, “Juneteenth.” It was celebrated in a number of Black communities across the state, often with a full day of activities, including speeches about the history and importance of the event, sports contests, picnics, and dances.
Texas became the first state to recognize Juneteenth as an official state holiday on January 1, 1980. The State of Oklahoma declared the third Saturday in June “Juneteenth National Freedom Day” on May 2, 1994. Currently, 50 states and the District of Columbia recognize Juneteenth as an emancipation celebration. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, which officially made Juneteenth the eleventh federal holiday.
Learn more about Juneteenth in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.
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“Chickasha, I.T.: Emancipation Day!”
This June 25, 1903, article from The Western World newspaper, depicts the editor of the paper, John C. Leftwich; Reverend B. F. Abner; and Professor Oscar Spencer. They were some of the speakers and organizers of the Juneteenth celebration held in Chickasha that year. The article mentions that soldiers from the 25th US Infantry came to the event and that the celebration’s parade was “a very creditable demonstration,” among many other activities. Click here to read the full article.
The Western World. (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 2, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 25, 1903, page: 5 of 8.
Click here to learn more about Black history through the thousands of issues of African-American newspapers available on The Gateway of Oklahoma History.
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UNDERSTANDING OUR PAST
Freedmen History resources at OHS
When the Five Tribes were forcibly removed from their homelands in the 1830s–40s, people enslaved by the tribes also made the long journey to Indian Territory. By 1861, eight to ten thousand Black people were enslaved throughout Indian Territory. In 1863, the Cherokee National Council passed an act freeing all people enslaved by their tribe, but many slaveholders ignored the law. After the Civil War, new treaties between the US government and the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek), and Seminole abolished slavery among the tribes. They outlined citizenship rights available to the Freedmen and their descendants. These treaties were ratified in the summer of 1866.
Click here to access the Freedmen History page of the OHS website, which includes a list of public sources, articles, genealogical resources, educational resources, presentations, photos, and much more.
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June 30, 2024, is the 107-year anniversary of the Oklahoma State Capitol’s completion in 1917. To celebrate The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol documentary on the Oklahoma State Capitol will be aired on OETA, on June 27, at 7:30 p.m. The documentary was directed by Oklahoma native Bryan Beasley and produced with support from the Inasmuch Foundation. Please check your local listings.
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST
Television comes to Oklahoma
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Crowds came by the thousands to the Municipal Auditorium in Oklahoma City to see the first television images in Oklahoma at a demonstration sponsored by WKY Radio on November 13, 1939. Despite television being a financial drain on broadcasters who had tried it before, E. K. Gaylord believed Oklahoma deserved it, so he applied for a license and was granted the first station in Oklahoma. On June 6, 1949, at 7 p.m., WKY-TV went on the air. In this latest episode of A Very OK Podcast, Trait Thompson and Dr. Bob Blackburn discuss how the new technology was embraced by the Gaylords, the popular shows and personalities of WKY-TV, and later KFOR, as well as television’s impact on Oklahoma. Their guest is Wes Milbourn, vice president and station manager at KFOR.
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The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is excited to join Made By Us and hundreds of history and civic organizations nationwide for the fourth annual Civic Season—from Juneteenth to July 4. This new summer tradition focuses on understanding our past and shaping our future! Hundreds of activities and resources can be found at thecivicseason.com, ranging from in-person events to five-minute virtual offerings. The possibilities are endless—with something for everyone’s needs and interests! Be sure to follow the OHS on Facebook, Instagram, and X to keep up with its activities as a Made By Us coalition partner. |
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Take a hike
Students from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) will be giving guided tours on the six trails that cross the 1,100-acre Honey Springs Battlefield on Saturday, June 29, and July 6. The students will point out the exact locations of military actions, highlight key aspects of the engagement, and discuss its historical importance.
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Just picture it
The exhibit From Our Hands will be on display at the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center through July 6. It includes various works of art created by Oklahoma Native American artists. The work on display will include artists Burgess Roye (Ponca) (1944–2015), Paladine Roye (Ponca) (1946–2001), Penny Coates (Potawatomi), and Amber DuBoise-Shepherd (Prairie Band Potawatomi/Sac and Fox).
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Explore the nooks and crannies
On Saturday, June 29, Hunter’s Home in Park Hill will host a scavenger hunt encouraging children to learn about items from the 19th century. The scavenger hunt will include items found inside the historic home and on the grounds of the rural property. Bring the family and a keen eye to spot things like a coffee grinder, knitting needles, and especially the location of little Farmer Dave! This event is free with regular admission fees.
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Piece by piece
The Chisholm will hold a two-day Advanced Barn Quilt Workshop from Friday, July 12, through Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This advanced workshop allows participants to take on more ambitious and elaborate barn quilt patterns and create their own blocks. Please contact the museum at (405) 375-5176 to reserve your place today!
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Click event listings below for more information.
17–19 - Wild West Kids Camp *camp is full,* Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
19 - Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
20 - Lunch and Learn: “Robert M. Jones: A Choctaw Millionaire in the American South, 1808–1873,” State Historic Preservation Office
20 - Summer Sounds Concert with musical duo Jim Garling and Susanne Woolley, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
20 - The Road to Will film screening and discussion with Steve McAllister, Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
22 - Usable Block Printing class, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
27 - “Masonic Lodges of Oklahoma” presentation by Kenneth Sivard, State Historic Preservation Office
27 - The People’s House: The Story of the Oklahoma State Capitol film screening on OETA
28 - Movie Night featuring Babe (1995), Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
29 - Scavenger Hunt, Hunter’s Home, Park Hill
29 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
30 - Vintage Snack Sets exhibit closes, Fred and Addie Drummond Home, Hominy
July 2024
6 - From Our Hands, exhibit closing, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
6 - Guided Tours, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
6 - History Alive! on the Cherokee Strip, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid
11 - “The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) Program at the NPS” webinar, presented by Catherine Lavoie, State Historic Preservation Office
11 - Back in Time: “The Three Guardsmen” premiere screening and panel, Oklahoma Territorial Museum and Carnegie Library, Guthrie
12–13 - Advanced Barn Quilt Workshop, Chisholm Trail Museum and Horizon Hill, Kingfisher
13 - Quilting Workshop and quilt drawing, Sod House Museum, Aline
13 - Civil Rights Act of 1964: 60th Anniversary Panel, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
13 - Battle of Honey Springs Memorial Service, Honey Springs Battlefield, Checotah
17 - Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Committee meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
18 - Historic Preservation Review Committee Meeting, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City
18 - Summer Sounds Concert with Mackynsie McKedy and the McKedy Band, The Chisholm, Kingfisher
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Masthead image: The Oklahoma History Center has a wide variety of E-Exhibits you can view from the cool comfort of your home! Each one explores an Oklahoma history topic and includes historic images, activities, a glossary, and a bibliography. Experience the full selection of E-Exhibits by clicking here.
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Juneteenth story sources:
James Alex Baggett, “Granger, Gordon,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed May 22, 2024, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/granger-gordon. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
Alwyn Barr and James M. Smallwood, “Juneteenth,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=JU003, accessed May 22, 2024.
Juneteenth: The Army's Role, The Army Historical Foundation, https://armyhistory.org/juneteenth-the-armys-role/, accessed May 22, 2024.
Photograph: Major General Gordon Granger (2021630265, Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress).
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