The emancipation order issued by Gen. Granger was neither the first, the last, nor the most significant of such orders. The first was issued by Gen. Fremont in 1861. The most significant was issued by Gen. Butler the same year and became known as the 'contraband decision.' That order led to a change in Northern attitudes as to the institution of slavery itself and culminated with the 13th amendment to the Constitution ratified on Dec. 6th 1865. If one is to pick dates to celebrate the end of slavery either Butler's decision or the ratification date or the 13th amendment would work.
But we already have a holiday of remembrance of the horrible cost in lives that ending slavery cost this nation, it's called Memorial Day.
Calling a bullshit, patronizing, holiday what it is is NOT an endorsement of slavery or any of slavery's artifacts.
But we already have a holiday of remembrance of the horrible cost in lives that ending slavery cost this nation, it's called Memorial Day.
Calling a bullshit, patronizing, holiday what it is is NOT an endorsement of slavery or any of slavery's artifacts.