Juneteenth (a portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth"),[1] also known as Freedom Day,[2]Jubilee Day,[3] and Cel-Liberation Day,[4] is an American holiday celebrated on June 19.[5] On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation— which had been issued on January 1, 1863— was read to enslaved African-Americans in Texas by Gordon Granger. Texas was the last Confederate State to have the proclamation announced, after the end of the American Civil War in April of that year. Juneteeth marks the day that most African slaves were made aware that they were free.

Juneteenth was celebrated in most major cities across the United States. Activists are pushing Congress to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday. Juneteenth is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in 47 of the 50 states.

For many in the African American community Juneteeth is recognized as our Independence Day, since it is the  day that our ancestors were announced as free.