On September 22, 1862, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclaimation declaring that all slaves be freed effective January 1, 1863. However, some slaves were excluded from his directive, among them an estimated 250,000 in the state of Texas. This changed when, on June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger stood on a balcony in Galveston and announced the total emancipation of all those held as slaves.

Today, June 19, or Juneteenth, is a holiday recognized in forty-five states, including North Carolina and Texas, but not yet as an official national holiday.

This year, St. James Progressives will celebrate Juneteenth on Tuesday, June 19, with a beach party at the Beach Club located at the end of 72nd Street in Oak Island. Because there's always a risk of rain, the event will not be catered and those attending should plan on packing food and beverages. The party will be free but please RSVP.