On June 19, the United States celebrated a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery, Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. People celebrate with concerts, festivals, war actings, and special museum showings.

In 1860 and 1861, to keep slavery, 11 Southern states left the United States which led to the Civil War. During the conflict, the Northern states wanted to stop slavery.

On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that freed enslaved people.

Not all enslaved people knew about their freedom until 1865 when on June 19, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to free more than 250,000 still enslaved people.

In 1997, Ben Haith created a flag for Juneteenth and the Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. The flag has the same colors as the US flag. In its center, it has a big white star. In 2000, the flag was slightly modified to how it looks today! The Juneteenth flag flies over state and city buildings during the celebrations.

Everybody can share the special day when slavery was over, so let’s celebrate Juneteenth!