When Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas, he had general order No. 3 posted on June 19, 1865. In essence, it informed those who had been slaves in Texas that they were now free under the Emancipation Proclamation, issued January 1, 1863.

As it abolished slavery in Texas and wiped away most of its final remnants, before the passage of the 13th Amendment, it has been called “Juneteenth,” and was made a federal holiday in 2021.

The Liberty County NAACP held its second Juneteenth commemoration Saturday on the grounds in front of the Dorchester Academy, and the Black & Minority Owned Business Network of SE Georgia, Inc held a two-day Juneteenth celebration Bryant Commons.

Riceboro held its third Juneteenth celebration Monday at the Riceboro Youth Center, organized by the Progressive Missionary Baptist Association.

“We decided to get the community together to make them aware and to remind those of this celebration,” said Pearl Axson, Riceboro mayor pro tem. “It’s very important because we come together as a community and it’s all about the history. As time progressed, we got together as a community and realized it was important to study American history, especially Black history, and bring the community together.”