LANSING, Mich. (June 17, 2021) — Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) today introduced legislation to correct details of Public Act 48 of 2005 so that it accurately reflects the history and reasons of Juneteenth.
The oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S., Juneteenth is often attributed to the ratification of the 13th Amendment. However, this information is historically inaccurate, as Juneteenth is a celebration of when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which had become official on Jan. 1, 1863.
“America’s history is messy, but we can and must ensure we accurately reflect what occurred, so our children can learn where we came from and how much further we have yet to go,” Sen. Santana added. “We should not gloss over details and the fact that the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln was the catalyst for this celebration of Freedom.”
Rewriting the history of Juneteenth with accurate information supports an ongoing effort to expand racial justice and equity in Michigan and further promotes the commemoration of when all slaves heard the news that they were emancipated from slavery.
“This bill is simply designed to correct the misinformation discovered in existing law,” Sen. Santana added. “I look forward to my colleague’s support of the truth.”
Senate Bill 554 was referred to the Senate Committee on Government Operations.
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