Granger landed in Galveston (Texas y'all) 19 June 1865 and read a list of General Orders for the surrender of Texas and confiscation property (cotton bales).
General Order #3 (not on top of the list) proclaimed slaves as free.
It took days for the news of slaves being free to spread though out Texas. Thus the slaves did not know the exact date this happened, just mid June (13th? 15th? 19th? 25th?) and the exact day was not important at the time 'cept when it was known.
Back in the 70's in Texas, Juneteenth was a full week and blacks back then just did not show up for work, no called in sick days or vacation time and after they just showed back up for work.
It is only recently that June 19 was proclaimed as a official day.
Thanks for this detailed explanation.
Makes sense.
I had sincerely never heard of it.
Until the other day.