[Juneteenth]. 40th [sic] Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside....

Description

[Juneteenth]. 40th [sic] Anniversary of Emancipation in Texas Broadside. One page, 9 x 12 3/4 inches, Corpus Christi, Texas; June 19, 1903. An early broadside advertising the 1903 anniversary celebration of Emancipation in Texas, now commonly called Juneteenth, in Corpus Christi, Texas. The announcement reads "40th Anniversary," but this is inaccurate; June 19, 1903, marked the 38th anniversary of Juneteenth.

The broadside advertises "eloquent speeches, sweet music, gorgeous street parade of floats and decorated vehicles...by the Negroes of Nueces County and Neighboring Communities." The program includes a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation; addresses by reverends, teachers, and civil servants; musical performances; and a "great basket picnic."

Condition: The broadside has been professionally restored and is backed with archival tissue. Heavily toned, with some light, scattered staining. Uneven edges at the top and bottom with minor wear and a few short tears, touching text but not affecting legibility. Smoothed creases at the right margin near the center.

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.