Embrace the liberty trifecta, fittingly showcased on a platform backed by the Liberty Fund.
Five years ago, I was perplexed as to why Juneteenth graced my Mac calendar. I assumed it was merely a clever pun.
Upon further investigation, I discovered that Juneteenth is truly a momentous occasion, marking the end of slavery in the United States.
Two additional dates in June resonate profoundly with those of us who value freedom: June 12 and June 30. Curiously, of these three dates, both June 19 and June 30 signify pivotal moments when slavery in America was abolished. Meanwhile, June 12 and June 19 are notable for the significant advancements made by Black Americans.
June 12
On June 12, 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in Loving v. Virginia, declaring anti-miscegenation laws unconstitutional. Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred Loving, a Black woman, married in Washington, D.C. in 1958, where their union was legal, only to return to Virginia and face arrest just five weeks later. Imagine that: married in 1958, yet it took them nine years to secure justice. The slow wheels of jurisprudence indeed turn at a glacial pace. And let’s appreciate the poetic irony of a Supreme Court case centered on love bearing such a fitting name.
These laws once impacted my friend Fred Jealous, who wed Ann Jealous, a Black woman. Their story, which they share here, reflects the real-life implications of these outdated regulations; they were forced to marry in Washington, D.C. due to the legal barriers in Maryland, where Ann grew up.
June 19
While the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 is often hailed as the moment slavery ended, a close reading of the document reveals otherwise. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that Major General Gordon Granger enforced the proclamation in Texas, officially bringing an end to slavery. Thus, it is entirely appropriate to celebrate the 160th anniversary of this significant milestone.
June 30
On June 30, 1973, the federal government’s authority to draft American men lapsed and has not been reinstated since. This marks 52 years without a draft, impacting two generations of American males. The implications of this decision resonate deeply within the context of military service and civic responsibility.
HT2 Taylor Davidson.
