Join me in recognizing Juneteenth 2026 after the date was finally christened a federal holiday in 2021.
It was on June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black Americans (in Galveston, Texas) were notified by Union Civil War soldiers about the abolition of slavery – over two years after the final Emancipation Proclamation which freed all enslaved Black Americans.
The story and celebration of Juneteenth started in Galveston, but its impact is felt far beyond Texas.
Generations of Americans refused to accept that freedom should belong to some and not others. They understood that freedom is something to cherish, and that each generation… pic.twitter.com/Weu71Tc6Od
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 19, 2026
In 2021, President Biden signed legislation making June 19th a federal holiday recognizing Juneteenth.
The Senate had approved the bill unanimously; only 14 House Republicans — many representing states that were part of the slave-holding Confederacy in the 19th century — opposed the measure.
Five years ago, thanks to the advocacy of Opal Lee, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.
Today, we reflect on our nation’s journey toward freedom—and commit ourselves to the fight for true equality and justice for all. pic.twitter.com/FwzQV4ruXr
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) June 19, 2026
Juneteenth has been a day of celebration in the Black community for decades.
From PBS:
The term Juneteenth is a blend of the words June and nineteenth. The holiday has also been called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day.
Often celebrated at first with church picnics and speeches, the holiday spread across the nation and internationally as Black Texans moved elsewhere.
The vast majority of states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday or a day of recognition, like Flag Day, and most states hold celebrations. Juneteenth is a paid holiday for state employees in Texas, New York, Virginia and Washington, and hundreds of companies give workers a day off for Juneteenth.
Factoid: Opal Lee, who fought for years for Juneteenth to be recognized as a federal holiday, is from my home town of Fort Worth, Texas.
Here’s to the work that still has to be done so that everyone is truly free in EVERY way, starting with the Voting Rights Act.
On #Juneteenth, we remember the stain slavery left on our nation and our long journey toward justice, freedom and equality—recognizing that true freedom was delayed for more than two years after emancipation.
Today, as we celebrate generations of Black Americans who bravely… pic.twitter.com/1qPvnVJCPf
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) June 19, 2026
Juneteenth is the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
As we celebrate, we must also recognize the work ahead.
House Democrats remain committed to the fight for equality and justice for all. pic.twitter.com/5nw83i4tab
— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) June 19, 2026
Juneteenth is both a joyous celebration and a solemn reminder that the road to justice and equality is a long one that we must all walk together. Today, let’s renew our commitment to one another that we will stay vigilant, that we will not turn back, and that we will build a…
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) June 19, 2026
Q: It’s Juneteenth. Does the president plan to commemorate the holiday at all or make any comment?
LEAVITT: I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We are working 24/7 right now. pic.twitter.com/3rkx4ggdnS
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 19, 2025
Juneteenth should not be a federal holiday.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 19, 2025
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