[Juneteenth]. 38th Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside....

Description

[Juneteenth]. 38th Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside. One page, 6 1/4 x 12 inches, Corpus Christi, Texas; June 19, 1903. An early broadside advertising the 38th anniversary celebration of Emancipation in Texas, now commonly called Juneteenth, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The broadside announces a "Grand Entertainment" taking place on June 19, under the "management of the Wilson Cornet Band." The program includes dancing, live song performances, poetry recitations, and, interestingly, "Second Sight-Mind Reading."

Condition: The broadside has been professionally restored and is backed with archival tissue. Heavily toned, with a few light stains and a subscriber's stamp. Unevenly trimmed edges at the top and bottom, just touching the decorative border at the top margin. A few small tears at the edges, repaired with archival tissue, not affecting text.

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.