Celebrating Juneteenth


Sunday, June 19, is Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States and the newest federal holiday. It marks the date on which enslaved people in Texas learned that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation two and a half years earlier, making slavery unlawful. This day is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or the country's second Independence Day. Now, many Americans celebrate with cookouts, parades, church services, musical performances and other public events. As we continue to embody ourBe Inclusive value, it is important that we recognize and celebrate these moments in our history.