2 and 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Galveston Texas finally got the news.

[MarathonMike]

There were about 4 million slaves that were freed on 1/1/1863 by the E.P. By June of 1865 there were about 200,000 slaves still working in Galveston Texas. They finally got the news and were freed on 6/19/1865 (Juneteenth). So I'm confused, why the focus on Juneteenth and not Emancipation Proclamation Day?

 

[DGS49]

The Emancipation Proclamation was meaningless propaganda.

• There is no such thing as a "proclamation"; it is a legal and constitutional nullity,
• Under the Fifth Amendment, property cannot be taken by government without "due process." Chattel slaves were property. Can't take them without notice, hearing, etc.
• Slaves in the Border States were excluded.

While the Juneteenth story is interesting, a more appropriate date to celebrate emancipation would be either the date when the 13th Amendment was finally ratified, (December 6th (1865)) or when Lee surrendered at Appomattox (April 9th). Just my opinion.