Juneteenth!

Today is a holiday! It's not just my anniversary (I love you, Melissa)! It's JUNETEENTH!

Juneteenth has a wonderful ring about it, just like Casimir Pulaski Day. It is the celebration of the Emancipation of the slaves in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 by General Gordon Granger. His statement:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.

Celebrate freedom today and remember that all that we have has been purchased at great price, a price we could not afford to pay ourselves.

Also remember that if you live in Texas, Arkansas, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Alaska, or California (which only adopted Juneteenth as a holiday in 2005), you shouldn't be working today. Tell your bosses. They'll understand, I promise...