On this day, June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. The newly freed people in Texas called this day “Juneteenth”.
Juneteenth is a holiday that commemorates the day that the last enslaved people in the United States were informed of their freedom. On this day, June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas and announced that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. The newly freed people in Texas called this day “Juneteenth”.
Juneteenth is the oldest known holiday that commemorates emancipation in the United States. It is an important day of celebration for African Americans and all Americans.
Thanks to President Joe Biden, on June 17, 2021, he signed a bill making Juneteenth, a federal holiday in the United States. It’s the 12th federal holiday formally recognized by the U.S. government.