Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Here's some of its history, and how it came to be a national holiday. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in the Confederate states — on paper, at least.

Juneteenth, which is short for “June Nineteenth”, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday, which is also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” honors the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston,

Juneteenth 2025 is this week. Here's what to know about the federal holiday, why it's celebrated and its origins.