Juneteenth

American history · freedom · celebration

Named for the date. Juneteenth comes from joining the words June and nineteenth. It marks June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free.

A joyful celebration. Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1865 with parades, music, food, and gatherings. People wear red, white, and blue to honor freedom and independence.

Freedom came late. Even though President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation said enslaved people were free in 1863, many enslaved people in Texas didn't find out until June 19, 1865, when the Civil War ended.

Now a federal holiday. In 2021, Juneteenth became an official national holiday in the United States, meaning it's recognized and celebrated across the whole country.

Telling an important story. Juneteenth helps Americans remember the long struggle for freedom and reminds us of the courage of people who fought for equality.