Barack Obama 2011-01-01 1 Statement on the Observance of Juneteenth June 19, 2011 On this day in 1865, more than 2 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, the word finally came down to slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free and entitled to the same "absolute equality of rights" and "right to property" protected under law. It would take many more years and many more struggles before African Americans received full and equal treatment under the law. But today, here and around the world, we commemorate Juneteenth as a time to celebrate the rich heritage and significant contributions of African Americans and to recommit ourselves as Americans to the enduring pursuit of a more perfect Union and to the eternal principles of liberty and justice for all.