Juneteenth
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
Opal Lee, 97, is pictured at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 20, 2024.
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
President Joe Biden is applauded as he reaches for a pen to sign the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law as Vice President Kamala Harris stands by in the East Room of the White House June 17, 2021.
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
VIDEO: Taraji P. Henson on the importance of Juneteenth and her new children's book
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
VIDEO: Kool & The Gang performs a medley of their greatest hits for Juneteenth celebration
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
VIDEO: Activist Opal Lee gifted new home following arson attack
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
The Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Gala kicks off the celebration of Juneteenth every year in Galveston, Texas.
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
VIDEO: Opal Lee, Grandmother of Juneteenth, marks major milestone
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
Left to right, Ninety-four-year-old activist and retired educator Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, speaks with President Joe Biden after he signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the East Room of the White House, June 17, 2021, in Washington.
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
VIDEO: White House hosts early Juneteenth kickoff with star-studded concert
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
VIDEO: By the Numbers: Juneteenth
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
Shawna, Tyler, and their son John waiting in line to see the Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No 3. at the National Archives to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19, 2023.
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
VIDEO: How communities across America celebrated Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: New museum in South Carolina shows history of Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: People across the country celebrate Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: Angie Martinez talks hip-hop, Juneteenth and 'Soul of A Nation'
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
VIDEO: Status of Juneteenth celebrations vary widely across US
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
VIDEO: Galveston unveils Juneteenth welcome sign
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
VIDEO: What to know about Juneteenth
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
The City of Galveston unveiled a new welcome sign June 16, 2023 that will greet visitors to the island reading "Welcome to Galveston – Birthplace of Juneteenth."
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
People watch a parade taking place to celebrate Juneteenth, June 19, 2021, in Atlanta.
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
VIDEO: By the Numbers: Celebrating Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: Why Juneteenth is unique among American holidays
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
Vice President Kamala Harris greets children in an art class, as she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture to mark Juneteenth, in Washington, D.C., on June 20, 2022.
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
Vice President Kamala Harris greeted the children at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
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
Dancer Prescylia Mae, of Houston, performs during a dedication ceremony for the mural "Absolute Equality" in recognition of Juneteenth, the effective end of slavery in the U.S. , in downtown Galveston, Texas, June 19, 2021.
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
VIDEO: Only 18 states recognize Juneteenth as paid holiday
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
VIDEO: Violence erupts at Juneteenth celebration in DC
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
VIDEO: Americans commemorate Juneteenth across country
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
In this June 19, 2020, file photo, a flag flies in recognition of Juneteenth, outside Rochester City Hall in Rochester, New York.
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
VIDEO: Juneteenth celebrated across the US this weekend
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
VIDEO: Importance of June 19 in our nation’s history
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
ABC News' “Soul of a Nation” special called “Sound of Freedom – A Juneteenth Celebration,” airs on ABC at 8 p.m. EST on Friday 17th June 2022, it will be available the following day on Hulu in the US.
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
The signing of the bill would make Juneteenth an official holiday in 10 U.S. states.
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
In this Feb. 9, 2022, file photo, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont delivers the State of the State address during opening session at the State Capitol, in Hartford, Conn.
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
VIDEO: Celebrating Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: Celebrating Juneteenth
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
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

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
VIDEO: The celebration of the first federally observed Juneteenth
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
VIDEO: Juneteenth celebrated across US
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
In this June 19, 2020, file photo, protesters chant as they march after a Juneteenth rally at the Brooklyn Museum, in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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
John Boyd Jr. is the founder of the National Black Farmers Association. He's been fighting for years to protect his land and that of other Black farmers around the country.
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
In this Dec. 2, 2011, file photo, Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, holds a portrait of Wells in her home in Chicago's South Side.
4 years ago

Juneteenth celebrations in images around the US

Juneteenth celebrations in images.
4 years ago
People celebrate Juneteenth at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., June 19, 2021.
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
Rep. James Clyburn is a guest on ABC's "The View" on June 18, 2021.
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
VIDEO: Juneteenth and allyship
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
VIDEO: Meet Opal Lee, the Juneteenth ‘grandmother of the movement’
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
VIDEO: By the Numbers: Origins of Juneteenth
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
VIDEO:  Young Black chefs across the country connect over the origin of ‘soul food’
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
VIDEO:  For Juneteenth, Obama reflects on future of democracy and bridging the divide
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
VIDEO: Meet the ‘grandmother of Juneteenth’