Juneteenth is dedicated to celebrating the freedom of formerly enslaved Black people. Events take place across the country on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 when the last slaves in Texas were notified of the Emancipation Proclamation, which marked an official end to the U.S. Civil War.

From Obama,
On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom and recommit ourselves to the work that remains undone. We remember that even in the darkest hours, there is cause to hope for tomorrow’s light.