In this episode of On the Record, Andre sits down with historian John Templeton to discuss the true history of Juneteenth, challenging the popular narrative that it marks the day slaves in Galveston, Texas, first learned of their freedom.

Templeton asserts that Galveston was already under Union control when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, making the traditional story inaccurate.

He emphasizes that Juneteenth actually signifies the effective end of the Civil War, as Texas was the last Confederate state to fall.

Templeton highlights the crucial role of African American self-organization, particularly through groups like the Loyal League, in achieving emancipation and influencing subsequent constitutional amendments and argues that the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments were largely due to the efforts of Black Americans.

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