The oldest celebration of African American freedom is now the newest federal holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the liberation of the last enslaved Black people in Texas, on June 19, 1865. Here’s what to know about how the celebration began, and how it’s evolved.

Stay connected:
Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nbcbayarea
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nbcbayarea
Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/nbcbayarea
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nbcbayarea

Catch up on all the day’s news:
http://www.nbcbayarea.com

Download our mobile app:
On iOS: http://nbcbay.com/R1BhqYM
On Android: http://nbcbay.com/rUcA97h

Watch us on OTT:
Add our channel on Roku: https://bit.ly/3ySK60j
Download our app on Amazon Fire TV: https://amzn.to/3FmmiEA

juneteenth,black history,african american,politics,holiday,slavery,independence day,civil war,lincoln,emancipation proclamation,texas,american history,federal holiday,joe biden,bay area,explainer