Juneteenth (officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day and historically as Jubilee Day,Black Independence Day, and Emancipation Day), is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African American culture.
Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in various parts of the United States since 1866. The day was recognized as a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
One of the biggest proponets of Juneteenth National Independence Day is Opal Lee who’s efforts in Texas over the decades, earned her the moniker “Gramdmother of Juneteenth”, born in 1926, is a retired teacher, counselor, and activist working tirelessly annually to get Senate Bill S 475 passed to make Juneteenth the eleventh federal holiday.