On Saturday, June 17, we hosted a brunch in celebration of Juneteenth at Law Harrington Senior Living Center, located in Houston’s historic Third Ward. More than 50 seniors joined us to celebrate. Residents complimented the quality, variety, and abundance of food items generously donated by One Medical and H-E-B. A special thanks to residents Jesse Mona Cartwright Biggs and William “Skip” Joseph for assisting with decorations and music and to our wonderful group of H-E-B volunteers.
The origins of Juneteenth date back to June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger, a U.S. Army officer and Union General during the Civil War, issued an order in Galveston, Texas announcing that all slaves were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. More than two years after the declaration was signed, this was the start of the official announcement and enforcement of emancipation in Texas.