[Juneteenth]. 33rd Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside....

Description

[Juneteenth]. 33rd Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside. One page, 8 x 23 inches, Corpus Christi, Texas; June 19, 1898. An early broadside advertising the 33rd anniversary celebration of "the Emancipation in Texas," now commonly called Juneteenth, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In part: "At the Beautiful Court House, where, in the cool of the evening, 3 o'clock sharp, we can carry out a programme that will not be expensive, but instructive, entertaining and intellectually beneficial to our children and ourselves and tend to strengthen the already friendly feeling that exists between the races of this beautiful section. Let us there review the changed condition of the Negro and his evident advancement since Emancipated in 1865, demonstrating his ability with Singing, Praying, Biblical Recitations, Orations, essays, Sacred Music and Instructive Reading, to inspire our children and instill into their minds useful information." The broadside additionally advertises a "Grand Basket Picnic" on the following day, June 20, "where all the various sports of the day and night can be indulged in."

Condition: The broadside has been professionally restored and is backed with archival tissue; previously separated into two pieces, the halves have been reattached at the center with only a faint seam present. Heavily toned with scattered stains. Moderate edgewear, resulting in some tears and loss at the margins, not affecting text. Tear measuring approximately 1 inch near the center, repaired with archival tissue, touching text but not affecting legibility.

More Information: From the archive of William H. Leonard. Leonard (born c. 1853) was a writer, barber, business owner, and community leader in Corpus Christi. Originally from Mississippi, Leonard moved to Texas in the 1870s and established a barbershop in Corpus Christi called "The Rosebud." There, he met his wife, Josephine Fox Leonard, and the couple had six children. Over the following two decades, Leonard emerged as a prominent figure in his community. He founded and distributed a newsletter, The Guide; contributed to the New York-based newspaper The Globe, covering events in Texas; chaired the city's annual Juneteenth celebration; led political organizations such as the Colored People's Progressive Club; and served as the only Black delegate to Project Deep Water, the 1879 initiative that led to the construction of Port Aransas. His collected writings offer a vivid portrait of his leadership and the vibrancy of Black culture in Corpus Christi.

On June 19, 1865—over two years after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation—Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were free, effectively enforcing the proclamation in one of the last holdout states. As early as 1866, Black communities commemorated the day with parades, music, prayer services, and family gatherings. Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in 1980. Gradually, other states followed suit, and in 2021, Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday.