Juneteenth represents when enslaved people earned their freedom
Juneteenth originated in Galveston, Texas, which recognzies that the last people who were freed one June 19, 1864.
Juneteenth was first recognized as a federal holiday three years ago. However, the origins of the holiday go back much farther.
A post about Juneteenth on NewsChannel 13’s Facebook page had comments such as it was a “fake holiday” or a “my kids get a useless day off.”
The origins of the holiday dates to June 19, 1864, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to let enslaved people know that they were freed.
NewsChannel 13’s Faith King sat down with public historian Lacey Wilson and Paul Stewart, co-founder of the Underground Railroad Education Center, to talk about the importance of the holiday.
Learn why Stewart said the holiday is representative of several dates that mark instances of people earning their freedom by watching the video.