[Video] Today in History: What Is Juneteenth?

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Today in History:

Today in History: What Is Juneteenth?
6.19.1865

Today is Juneteenth, a powerful day of reflection and celebration in American history. On June 19, 1865, over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced to the last remaining enslaved African Americans that they were finally free.

The news was delivered by Union General Gordon Granger, who declared that “all slaves are free,” marking the true enforcement of emancipation across the United States. For many, it was the first time freedom became real—not just on paper, but in their daily lives.

Juneteenth, short for June Nineteenth, became a symbol of Black liberation, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. It has been celebrated for generations with prayer services, music, food, parades, and reflection.

In 2021, Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. Today, it stands as a reminder of how long justice can be delayed—and why it must never be denied.