Why Do We Celebrate Juneteenth?

Juneteenth (also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Jubilee Day) commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the enslaved population of their freedom—more than two years after Pres. Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation (1863). Because enforcement of the proclamation depended on Union military presence, many enslaved people in remote Confederate areas remained unaware of their freedom until Union troops arrived to control the territory.

The first Juneteenth celebration took place in Texas in 1866 and featured prayer meetings and the singing of spirituals. As Black Texans migrated across the country, they brought Juneteenth traditions with them, leading to its wider observance. Texas designated it a state holiday in 1980, and Juneteenth became a U.S. federal holiday in 2021. Celebrations today include religious services, educational events, family gatherings, and cultural festivals, honoring the end of slavery and celebrating African American culture and resilience.