People watch the Juneteenth Parade in historic Galveston, Texas on Saturday — where 156 years ago news reached the city that slavery had been abolished. Go Nakamura/Getty Images hide caption
People watch the Juneteenth Parade in historic Galveston, Texas on Saturday — where 156 years ago news reached the city that slavery had been abolished.
Go Nakamura/Getty ImagesJuneteenth celebrations are underway across the United States, commemorating the 156th anniversary of the date that is often considered the end of chattel slavery in the country.
Events this year come two days after President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, which is the latest national holiday to be recognized since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.
It dates to June 19, 1865, when Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that enslaved people were now free. This came two months after the end of the Civil War and over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which was supposed to free all slaves living in Confederate states.
The holiday has gone on to be a cause for celebration, remembrance and a call to action as Americans continue to reckon with the country's history of systemic racism.
Commemorative events ranging from festivals and celebrations to rallies and memorials are expected to take place throughout the weekend.
Galveston
People admire a new mural created for Juneteenth that chronicles what happened in Galveston 156 years ago. The mural was created as part of the city's Juneteenth Legacy Project. Go Nakamura/Getty Images hide caption
People admire a new mural created for Juneteenth that chronicles what happened in Galveston 156 years ago. The mural was created as part of the city's Juneteenth Legacy Project.
Go Nakamura/Getty Images
A Black Lives Matter banner is draped off the back of a pick up truck during a city's parade. Go Nakamura/Getty Images hide caption
A Black Lives Matter banner is draped off the back of a pick up truck during a city's parade.
Go Nakamura/Getty ImagesBrooklyn
Activists unveil a new memorial honoring George Floyd in Flatbush Junction on Saturday morning. Terrance Floyd, center, the brother of George Floyd, attended and spoke at the event. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images hide caption
Activists unveil a new memorial honoring George Floyd in Flatbush Junction on Saturday morning. Terrance Floyd, center, the brother of George Floyd, attended and spoke at the event.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
Dancers of the P.U.S.H. (Practice Until Something Happens) dance team perform at a Juneteenth rally outside the Brooklyn Library. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images hide caption
Dancers of the P.U.S.H. (Practice Until Something Happens) dance team perform at a Juneteenth rally outside the Brooklyn Library.
David Dee Delgado/Getty ImagesTulsa
Marlon F. Hall leads a yoga class next to Interstate 244, which runs through the Tulsa neighborhood of Greenwood, the location of the Tulsa Race Massacre 100 years ago. Tulsa's celebration of Juneteenth comes less than three weeks after the anniversary. Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images hide caption
Marlon F. Hall leads a yoga class next to Interstate 244, which runs through the Tulsa neighborhood of Greenwood, the location of the Tulsa Race Massacre 100 years ago. Tulsa's celebration of Juneteenth comes less than three weeks after the anniversary.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
A father and son take a selfie while visiting Greenwood's Black Wall Street Memorial on Saturday. Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images hide caption
A father and son take a selfie while visiting Greenwood's Black Wall Street Memorial on Saturday.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty ImagesLouisville
Louisville residents march in honor of Juneteenth, steered by the River City Drum Corps. The crowd heads to the launch of the Roots 101 Museum's newest art project, which spotlights the city's history with slavery. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption
Louisville residents march in honor of Juneteenth, steered by the River City Drum Corps. The crowd heads to the launch of the Roots 101 Museum's newest art project, which spotlights the city's history with slavery.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images
A woman displays an embroidered "1865" in her hair while attending the launch of a new art project at Louisville's Roots 101 Museum on Saturday. The project, titled "On the Banks of Freedom," explores Louisville's participation in slavery and commemorates the lives of enslaved people whose names were not recorded. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption
A woman displays an embroidered "1865" in her hair while attending the launch of a new art project at Louisville's Roots 101 Museum on Saturday. The project, titled "On the Banks of Freedom," explores Louisville's participation in slavery and commemorates the lives of enslaved people whose names were not recorded.
Jon Cherry/Getty ImagesDetroit
A mural displaying the words "Power To The People" is repainted in honor of Juneteenth by students studying at the University Prep Art Design. The mural was first painted last year for the holiday. Ed White/AP hide caption
A mural displaying the words "Power To The People" is repainted in honor of Juneteenth by students studying at the University Prep Art Design. The mural was first painted last year for the holiday.
Ed White/APAtlanta
Participants walk in Atlanta's Juneteenth parade, rain or shine. Megan Varner/Getty Images hide caption
Participants walk in Atlanta's Juneteenth parade, rain or shine.
Megan Varner/Getty Images
Food vendors gather together on Friday in Atlanta's Castleberry Hill to honor Juneteenth. The event, named, "Celebration of Truth," was hosted by The Black News Network. Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Black News Chan hide caption
Food vendors gather together on Friday in Atlanta's Castleberry Hill to honor Juneteenth. The event, named, "Celebration of Truth," was hosted by The Black News Network.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Black News ChanBoston
Acting Mayor Kim Janey, right, takes a photo as Bostonians gather together on Friday in Nubian Square. Janey is the first woman and first Black person to serve as mayor of Boston. Elise Amendola/AP hide caption
Acting Mayor Kim Janey, right, takes a photo as Bostonians gather together on Friday in Nubian Square. Janey is the first woman and first Black person to serve as mayor of Boston.
Elise Amendola/APJune 20, 2021 at 06:12AM
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How Americans Are Celebrating Juneteenth This Year - NPR
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