Recognizing The Historical Significance Of Juneteenth Independence Day
Floor Speech
RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY -- (Senate - June 19, 2007)
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Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today is the 142nd anniversary of Juneteenth, a day when our Nation celebrates the complete abolition of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves beginning January 1, 1863, and brought to an end what Abraham Lincoln called ``two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil.'' America's Civil War had ended at Appomattox, VA, in April 1865, but it was not until June 19, 1865, 2 months later, and a full 2 1/2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation that the news finally reached Galveston, TX. That day has become known throughout our Nation as ``Juneteenth.''
In communities across the country, Juneteenth is an occasion for all Americans to reflect on a tragic period that shaped our Nation and continues to influence us yet today. For Marylanders, Juneteenth is a time to reflect upon our own history. Slavery existed in Maryland from the State's inception as an English colony. In 1664, slavery was officially sanctioned by law, and it thrived until 1864 when it was abolished with ratification of a new State constitution.
In 1820, Maryland's population was approximately 400,000, less than one-tenth our current size. The slightly more than 100,000 slaves in Maryland accounted for one-quarter of Maryland's population, while the 39,000 free Black Marylanders accounted for nearly 10 percent. By 1860, the State's overall population had grown considerably, while the number of slaves had declined to about 87,000, or 13 percent, while the number of slaves had free Blacks numbered about 83,000 or 12 percent.
Although Maryland was a slave State, it did not secede from the Union. And the contributions of Marylanders to the Union cause and the abolitionist movement did much to tilt the national balance in favor of freedom. Antislavery activists--Black and White, free and enslaved--took tremendous risks for the cause of freedom. Harriet Tubman, who was born Araminta Ross in Dorchester County, and Frederick Douglass, who was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Talbot County, were both born into slavery, put their own lives on the line as courageous crusaders for freedom. Having escaped their own captors, they dedicated their lives to fighting for the emancipation of all slaves. They are true American heroes.
This year, the Maryland General Assembly passed a resolution that I will quote here in part:
Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the State of Maryland expresses profound regret for the role that Maryland played in instituting and maintaining slavery and for the discrimination that was slavery's legacy; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of Maryland commits itself to the formation of a more perfect union among its citizens regardless of color, creed, or race; and be it further
Resolved, That the State of Maryland recommits itself to the principle that all people are equal and equally endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Today, on the 142nd anniversary of Juneteenth, I wish to commend my former colleagues in the Maryland General Assembly for this resolution, and I urge all my colleagues in the Senate to join me in celebrating Juneteenth and honoring those who made that day possible.
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