Juneteenth commemorates the June 19th, 1865 announcement of abolition in Texas and the ending of slavery in the United States. Also known as Freedom Day or Juneteenth Independence Day, it memorializes the delayed liberation of enslaved people in Texas, which was announced two and a half years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth is the longest-running African American holiday. Celebrating the end of slavery in the US triggered a series of events that changed the lives of many. It is a unifying holiday, celebrating freedom in America, and the empowerment of Black citizens.

It is celebrated with family gatherings, parades, and events. Though Juneteenth is a holiday that has been celebrated among Black Americans for decades, it has only recently been instituted as a federally recognized national holiday in the last few years.

Happy Juneteenth!

Resources:

The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

Juneteenth: American celebration of freedom