Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is a significant holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, it was not enforced in many Confederate states still in rebellion. Texas, remote and less monitored by Union forces, remained largely untouched until Major General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3. This order declared the end of slavery and affirmed the equality of the formerly enslaved and slaveholders under the law.

The first Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 and quickly became a tradition among African American communities, particularly in Texas. These events often included prayer services, family gatherings, music, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Over the decades, Juneteenth evolved into a broader celebration of African American culture, resilience, and progress.

Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States in 2021, a long-overdue acknowledgment of its historical and cultural importance. Today, it serves as a moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery, celebrate Black freedom and achievements, and renew the commitment to justice and equality for all.