Follow the latest Juneteenth news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
4 months ago
'Grandmother' of Juneteenth Opal Lee attends her 1st DNC at age 97
Lee said she is ready to rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
4 months ago
6 months ago
Biden signs bill making Juneteenth, marking end of slavery, a federal holiday
President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday to make Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Taraji P. Henson on the importance of Juneteenth and her new children's book
Henson speaks out against Juneteenth detractors and shares the lessons on kindness and mental wellness she wants to instill with her new book, “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!)”
6 months ago
6 months ago
Kool & The Gang performs a medley of their greatest hits for Juneteenth celebration
The legendary band, which was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, performs hits like “Ladies’ Night” and “Celebration” and discuss hitting the road on their latest tour.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Activist Opal Lee gifted new home following arson attack
Opal Lee shares how a racist mob burned down her family’s house. Now 85 years later, Lee has been gifted a new home on the same spot where the house burned down.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Remembering the birthplace of Juneteenth
The Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Gala kicks off the celebration of Juneteenth every year in Galveston, Texas.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Opal Lee, Grandmother of Juneteenth, marks major milestone
Lee, who is known for her activism in getting Juneteenth recognized as a national holiday, received keys to a new home built on the site of her childhood home that was burned to the ground by a mob.
6 months ago
6 months ago
Meet Opal Lee, the 'grandmother of the movement' to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
Opal Lee walked from Texas to Washington, D.C., to bring attention to Juneteenth.
6 months ago
6 months ago
White House hosts early Juneteenth kickoff with star-studded concert
Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the U.S. on June 19, 1865. Stars like Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight are slated to perform. ABC News' Jay O'Brien joins live from the front lawn.
6 months ago
2 years ago
By the Numbers: Juneteenth
A look at the numbers behind an increasing number of states that are beginning to recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Thousands line up for rare look at original Emancipation Proclamation
Thousands lined up outside the National Archives in Washington on Monday hoping to see original versions of the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3.
2 years ago
2 years ago
How communities across America celebrated Juneteenth
From Kentucky to California, Michigan to Washington, D.C., communities across the country came together for the national holiday marking the end of slavery in the U.S.
2 years ago
2 years ago
New museum in South Carolina shows history of Juneteenth
The International African American Museum sits on Gadsden's Wharf, once one of the biggest U.S. slave ports.
2 years ago
2 years ago
People across the country celebrate Juneteenth
The holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people found out they were free.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Angie Martinez talks hip-hop, Juneteenth and 'Soul of A Nation'
The radio personality is the host and executive producer of ABC’s "Soul of a Nation" special, “Hip-Hop @ 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections,” which celebrates Juneteenth and Black Music Month.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Status of Juneteenth celebrations vary widely across US
Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C., have closed most banks, schools and state offices to give workers paid time off for the federal holiday, which was signed into law in 2021.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Galveston unveils Juneteenth welcome sign
As the country prepares to celebrate Juneteenth, the Texas city unveiled a new welcome sign that celebrated its place in the historic day.
2 years ago
2 years ago
What to know about Juneteenth
Athenia Rodney, founder and CEO of Juneteenth New York, talks about the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
2 years ago
2 years ago
Juneteenth commemorated in Galveston, Texas, where holiday began
The city hosted an event that featured an unveiling of a new welcome sign along the highway.
2 years ago
3 years ago
Juneteenth and its implications for the economy and generational wealth
Real estate investor Jude Bernard discusses Juneteenth, financial literacy. Economic historian Ellora Derenoncourt explains the history of the racial wealth gap.
3 years ago
3 years ago
By the Numbers: Celebrating Juneteenth
A look at the history behind Juneteenth, and how some states are still not fully recognizing the newest federal holiday.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Why Juneteenth is unique among American holidays
Gregory Carr, chair of the department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University, speaks on educating Americans about Juneteenth and how to support the Black community on the holiday.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Kamala Harris surprises children at African American history museum for Juneteenth
Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff surprised children on Monday at the National Museum of African American History and Culture for Juneteenth.
3 years ago
3 years ago
VP Harris surprises kids at Juneteenth celebration
Vice President Kamala Harris greeted the children at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Black joy on Juneteenth is an act of resistance against white supremacy
On Juneteenth, celebrations take place nationwide. The holiday highlights the power of Black joy as a protest.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Only 18 states recognize Juneteenth as paid holiday
One year after Juneteenth was signed into law as a federal holiday, 32 states still do not recognize it as a paid day off for workers.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Violence erupts at Juneteenth celebration in DC
A teenager was killed and three others were injured, including a Washington, D.C., police officer, when gunfire erupted at the "Moechella" concert on Sunday night.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Americans commemorate Juneteenth across country
The national holiday marks the day enslaved people in Texas first learned they were free.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Prominent African Americans share Juneteenth messages of hope
Many Black people in the United States recognize June 19 as their Independence Day.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Juneteenth celebrated across the US this weekend
President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law one year ago. The country is gearing up for its first ever Juneteenth National Holiday.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Importance of June 19 in our nation’s history
SiriusXM Radio host Mike Muse talks about local and federal recognition of Juneteenth.
3 years ago
3 years ago
'Soul of a Nation' presents Juneteenth celebration featuring iconic musicians
ABC News’ “Soul of a Nation” presents a new primetime special “Sound of Freedom - A Juneteenth Celebration.”
3 years ago
3 years ago
Juneteenth bill headed to Connecticut governor’s desk
The signing of the bill would make Juneteenth an official holiday in 10 U.S. states.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Bill to make Juneteenth a holiday moves to governor's desk
Juneteenth is on its way to becoming an official holiday in Connecticut.
3 years ago
3 years ago
Celebrating Juneteenth
ABC’s Deb Roberts sits down with friends to discuss the role of Soul Food in U.S. history, and artist Kelis takes the food back to its roots on her farm, where she hones her culinary skills.
3 years ago
4 years ago
Celebrating Juneteenth
Sam Collins, co-chair of the Juneteenth Legacy Project, talks about what’s next for Juneteenth after President Joe Biden signed a bill to make it a federal holiday.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth celebration marred by gun violence in California
One person died and six were injured during a celebration marking the first Juneteenth as a federal holiday, according to the Oakland Police Department.
4 years ago
4 years ago
The celebration of the first federally observed Juneteenth
ABC News’ Marcus Moore is in Galveston, Texas, this morning where Union troops traveled on June 19, 1865, to inform slaves of their freedom granted by the Emancipation Proclamation.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth celebrated across US
Americans commemorate the national holiday for the first time, after President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Thursday.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth is now a national holiday. What's next?
Now that Juneteenth is recognized as a national holiday, advocates are weighing in on how Americans should mark the occasion and what the day should mean going forward.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Black farmers fight to keep their land, cultivate next generation
“It’s about fairness,” John Boyd Jr., a farmer and fierce advocate, said.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth: Descendants of Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X and others speak out
Descendants of Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells and others spoke to ABC News.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth celebrations in images around the US
Juneteenth celebrations in images.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Rep. Jim Clyburn says new Juneteenth federal holiday gives him 'hope'
Clyburn says new legislation to mark Juneteenth as a federal holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States gives him hope.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Juneteenth and allyship
ABC News' Linsey Davis explores how a family in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, found themselves hosting conversations with their predominantly white neighbors about race.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Meet Opal Lee, the Juneteenth ‘grandmother of the movement’
In 2016, 89-year-old Opal Lee walked from her home in Fort Worth, Texas, to the nation’s capital in an effort to get Juneteenth named a national holiday. She attended the signing on Thursday.
4 years ago
4 years ago
By the Numbers: Origins of Juneteenth
ABC News takes a look at how Juneteenth began as it becomes the first new federal holiday in the United States since 1983.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Young Black chefs across the country connect over the origin of ‘soul food’
ABC News’ Deborah Roberts co-hosted a Juneteenth dinner with friend and renowned chef Alexandra Smalls. Many ‘soul food’ dishes hold historic importance for what it means to be Black in America.
4 years ago
4 years ago
For Juneteenth, Obama reflects on future of democracy and bridging the divide
Former President Barack Obama acknowledged a political divide but said he hopes for unity. He said that the next generation has the responsibility to further equality for all.
4 years ago
4 years ago
Meet the ‘grandmother of Juneteenth’
Civil rights activist Opal Lee started a petition to make Juneteenth a national holiday and “walked thousands of miles” around Texas to promote her cause.
4 years ago