Juneteenth is a holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people were free. This was more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The holiday is one of the oldest African American celebrations and is sometimes referred to as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, or Juneteenth Independence Day. It has been celebrated since 1866 and is considered to be America's second Independence Day. Juneteenth celebrations typically include prayer services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings, picnics, festivals with food, music, and dancing, and cultural reflections honoring Black American heritage and achievements. The holiday also serves as a time for reflection on the legacy of slavery and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. The Juneteenth flag, with red, white, and blue colors mirroring the American flag, symbolizes the freedom of Black Americans in all states, with a star representing Texas and new beginnings. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and continues to be observed across the United States as a significant moment to celebrate African American freedom and culture. In summary, Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a reminder of the long journey toward freedom and equality in the United States.