June 19th, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, is an American holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865, announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America. Texas was the most remote of the slave states, and the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, was not enforced there until after the Confederacy collapsed. The name of the observance is a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”, the date of its celebration.Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 46 states.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebration in Austin, Texas, on June 19, 1900

Also called

Freedom Day or Emancipation Day

Observed by

Residents of the United States, especially African Americans 

Observance is primarily in local celebrations. Traditions include public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, singing traditional songs such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, and reading of works by noted African-American writers such as Ralph Ellison and Maya Angelou.Celebrations include rodeos, street fairs, cookouts, family reunions, park parties, historical reenactments, or Miss Juneteenth contests.The Mascogos, descendants of Black Seminoles, of Coahuila, Mexico also celebrate Juneteenth.