Juneteenth was first celebrated in 1866, one year after Texas slaves had been officially freed. Freedmen and their families gathered in rural communities and burgeoning Freedom Colonies rejoicing with parades, dances, church services, hallelujah, community feasts, and tears. Some communities purchased land specifically to hold their celebrations, such as Houston’s Rev. Jack Yates who raised $1,000 for what would become Emancipation Park in Third Ward. A similar effort in Mexia yielded Booker T. Washington Park which one year saw 20,000 Juneteenth celebrants in one week. The celebrations have become worldwide and more diverse in attendees and program participants with some events offering job fairs, health checkups, and vendor booths. But the spirit of the day remains festive with an unspoken reverence.