06/19/2026
Today, we commemorate Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to more than 250,000 enslaved African Americans, nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. This historic day became known as Juneteenth, or Freedom Day.
Juneteenth is a time to reflect on the ideals of freedom, citizenship, and equality, while recognizing the ongoing journey toward a more just society. North Carolina recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday in 2007, and it became a federal holiday in 2021.
To learn more about the history and legacy of Juneteenth, visit the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture:
Juneteenth is an often overlooked event in our nation’s history. On June 19, 1865, Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay and across Texas some two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.