Honoring Juneteenth

15 Jun 2022

Considered the longest-running African American holiday, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S.

Juneteenth (short for June 19th) marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans throughout Texas learned that they were free—news that took approximately two months after the Confederate surrender of the Civil War and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation to reach them. As our nation recognizes the legacy of Juneteenth during a time of heightened consciousness over pervasive racism and persecution in our nation, we urge everyone to continue to do their part in igniting change.