Emancipation Day is celebrated in 1905 in Richmond, Va., the onetime capital of the Confederacy

Happy Juneteenth!

As of Friday, June 18th,  Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. The holiday commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Starting in Galveston, Texas in 1865 federal troops arrived to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Today’s daily news will look a bit different than normal. The snapshots below show how people celebrated all over the country. 

Juneteenth Celebrations

Galveston, Texas Juneteenth Parade

Demonstrators and organizers dance

La Trise Wilson, co-chair of the Juneteenth Celebration Planning Committee, sings the National Anthem on Saturday, June 19, 2021, during the Juneteenth Emancipation Program 

Evanston’s Juneteenth Parade

Flint celebrations

Galveston, Texas