Juneteenth is the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration to mark the final end of slavery when the last of the enslaved people learned of their freedom in America. It is also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, or Emancipation Day.
After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued to free American slaves in the Confederate states in 1863, it took a while for slaves in isolated areas to hear the news. Some slave owners kept word from those they had enslaved so they would not flee. But, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas to deliver the message that the war was over so all slaves would know of their freedom.
Juneteenth honors African Americans who helped to build this nation. In 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Act establishing June 19 as a federal holiday. The day's celebrations often include prayer and religious services, educational events, family gatherings, and events with food, music, and dancing. It is a reminder of the long fight for freedom and the work we must continue to do to build a better future with liberty and justice for all.
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