Americans observe Juneteenth today, a relatively new federal holiday in the United States. It marks the day enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were told the Civil War was over and they were free.
US President Joe Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in June 2021. Here’s a look at some of the festivities that took place south of the border over the long weekend and earlier this month.
neighborhood parties
Maya Smith, left, blows bubbles at the Queer Juneteenth Block Party, complete with games, costumes and dancing, in New York City on Sunday.
(Jeenah Moon/Associated Press)
Trumpeter Crystal Howard walks down the street while performing with her band at a block party to mark Juneteenth in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
(Kevin Wurm/Reuters)
Adrian (Flexx) Couch hypes the crowd at the block party in Nashville.
(Kevin Wurm/Reuters)
festivals
Eight-year-old Jamboree Thomas tosses June 19-themed balloons down the street during a neighborhood festival in Washington, DC, on Sunday.
(Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Line dancers perform during the festival.
(Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Casius Caligula watches a group with his dogs during the June 19 festivities at Discovery Green public park in downtown Houston, Texas on Sunday.
(Adrées Latif/Reuters)
Other celebrations
Juneteenth Ambassador Madison Swain throws candy to children during the Juneteenth Parade in Galveston on Saturday.
(Adrées Latif/Reuters)
A local resident takes shelter under an umbrella from the hot weather during the parade in Galveston.
(Adrées Latif/Reuters)
Members of the Tennessee State University Marching Band perform as President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hold a June 19 concert on the South Lawn of the White House on June 13.
(Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
(Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Singer Jennifer Hudson performs during the concert. The White House hosted the concert to mark the country’s new federal holiday which was established in 2021.
(Alex Wong/Getty Images)