why is juneteenth a holiday

Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day, June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved Black people were free, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation issued more than two years earlier in 1863. The holiday originated in Texas and has been celebrated since 1866, becoming a symbol of freedom and African American heritage. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, after legislation was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The holiday is also known as Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, or Juneteenth National Independence Day. It is celebrated with various traditions such as prayer meetings, singing spirituals, public readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, and community gatherings. The significance of Juneteenth lies in its role as a recognition of the end of slavery and acknowledgment of the long struggle for freedom and equality in the United States. It serves both as a day of celebration and reflection on America's history and ongoing journey toward justice.