A woman holds an American flag while marching in the Juneteenth Atlanta Black History parade on June 18, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images
- President Joe Biden signed a bill last year that sets June 19 as a federal holiday.
- Celebrations took place around the country on June 19 in many US cities and towns, paying tribute to Black culture.
Juneteenth is the country's newest federal holiday, and on Sunday, many Black Americans are celebrating with festivals, food, and parades.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. While many Black Americans already acknowledged this historic date, President Joe Biden signed a bill last year that sets June 19 as a federal holiday.
The origins of Juneteenth started in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865, when Union Army general Gordon Granger declared that the enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, were freed by executive decree. Shortly after, celebrations took place where it was safe, such as in Black churches, according to High Country News.
Around the US, many cities have opted in to celebrate Juneteenth. Here are celebrations in several cities around the US that are observing Juneteenth.