A rare book in Mississippi State University’s archives is reshaping what historians know about the origins of Juneteenth. For years, the earliest widely recognized Juneteenth celebration was believed to be an 1866 observance in Galveston, Texas, marking the anniversary of freedom for enslaved people there. But research by MSU historian Susannah J. Ural and her colleagues points to an even earlier celebration of emancipation in New Orleans during the summer of 1864.

“My connection to Mississippi State University runs deep in my family,” said Margaret Shepherd, a 2022 MSU graduate. “MSU brought my mom’s family to Starkville in the 1960s when my grandfather became the first head of the Department of Biochemistry. My dad grew up near Starkville in Louisville, and, following his father’s path in forestry, attended MSU. My parents met in Starkville and were married on campus at the Chapel of Memories. No matter what was happening in our lives, being a Bulldog always brought our family together. When it came time to choose a college, the decision felt easy,” said Shepherd.

Mississippi State University’s long tradition of academic innovation has shaped generations of critical thinkers, hardworking professionals, and leaders in health care. Edward Rigdon was well-suited for the university’s legacy of excellence in medicine. He came to Starkville in search of the rigorous, high-caliber education that has come to define MSU.