06/19/2026
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, but it has a far greater, 160-year historical legacy as an annual celebration. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth commemorates the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to ensure that all enslaved people be freed, over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Today's holiday is rooted in African American history and community traditions, and provides an opportunity and understanding for the ongoing fight for human rights and equality. Interested in learning more? Please explore the resources below provided by the National Museum of African American History & Culture, a Smithsonian Institution museum.
🖱️ NMAAHC: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/moments/juneteenth
📺 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfwhFF95Ois
📖 Reading List: https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/museum-store/juneteenth-reading-list
Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom.