They were free nearly 3 years before. Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation September 22, 1862 and Junteenth was June 19, 1865. Seems like a better time to celebrate would be September 22nd. You could throw in Mexican independence on September 16th, Treaty of Paris officially freeing us from Britain on September 3, 1783, and have a freedom day. Keep everybody happy. Or I could STFU. I basically don't care. Personally, I like July 4th.
