Every year on June 19th, Juneteenth is celebrated to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Led by Major General Gordon Granger, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, who brought news that the Civil War had ended, and "General Order No. 3" declared the total emancipation of those who were enslaved.
Juneteenth was first declared a state holiday in Texas in 1980. Since then, Juneteenth is recognized by 45 states and the District of Columbia as either a state holiday or a ceremonial holiday.
While Juneteenth marks the end of legal slavery in the United States, it also serves a day of reflection and education. Juneteenth celebrations often include lectures and exhibitions on African-American culture and are commonly accompanied by voter registration drives, plays and retelling stories.
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