Juneteenth: The Festivities of Freedom

Juneteenth is also called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day.

Free at Last - Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. It is also commonly known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. Learn more about this historic day and celebration from BET.com. — LaToya Bowlah (Photo: Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 

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Free at Last - Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. It is also commonly known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day. Learn more about this historic day and celebration from BET.com. — LaToya Bowlah (Photo: Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) 

(Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

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(Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy of the Library of Congress

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Unenforced - Although Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation officially freed the slaves in 1863, there were not enough Union troops in Texas to enforce the law. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Symbol of Remembrance - The Juneteenth flag depicts a new star bursting on the horizon. It represents the freedom of American slaves and is often placed alongside the American flag. (Photo: Courtesy of JuneteenthFlag)

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Symbol of Remembrance - The Juneteenth flag depicts a new star bursting on the horizon. It represents the freedom of American slaves and is often placed alongside the American flag. (Photo: Courtesy of JuneteenthFlag)

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It’s Tradition - There are Juneteenth celebrations all over the U.S. Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing, baseball games and discussions on education and self-improvement are staple activities at Juneteenth celebrations. (Photo: David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

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A Historic Turnout - In Mexia, Texas, the local Juneteenth organization purchased Booker T. Washington Park, which had become the Juneteenth celebration site in 1898. As many as 20,000 African-Americans were once cited to have passed through during the course of the week-long festival, making the celebration one of Texas’ largest. (Photo: Public Domain)

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A Historic Turnout - In Mexia, Texas, the local Juneteenth organization purchased Booker T. Washington Park, which had become the Juneteenth celebration site in 1898. As many as 20,000 African-Americans were once cited to have passed through during the course of the week-long festival, making the celebration one of Texas’ largest. (Photo: Public Domain)

Virginia Celebrates - Steaming grills, music and laughter could be heard from Roanoke’s Washington Park last Saturday as residents of Roanoke, Virginia, came together to celebrate Juneteenth. (Photo: David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

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Virginia Celebrates - Steaming grills, music and laughter could be heard from Roanoke’s Washington Park last Saturday as residents of Roanoke, Virginia, came together to celebrate Juneteenth. (Photo: David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Houston Celebrates - In Houston, Texas, they will celebrate the eighth annual “Juneteenth Stringfellow Orchards Family Day.” Participants will create a mural that portrays life in America in the first 50 years after slavery ended. Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday on January 1, 1980. (Photo: Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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Houston Celebrates - In Houston, Texas, they will celebrate the eighth annual “Juneteenth Stringfellow Orchards Family Day.” Participants will create a mural that portrays life in America in the first 50 years after slavery ended. Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday on January 1, 1980. (Photo: Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Juneteenth, a Celebration of Freedom - More than 40 states across the U.S celebrated Juneteenth on June 19. Juneteenth festivities commemorate the end of slavery in Texas in 1865. It is also commonly called “Emancipation Day” or “Freedom Day.” (Craig F. Walker / The Denver Post) (Photo: Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

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The Culture Camp - Last Thursday kicked off the first event of Charlotte North Carolina’s four-day Juneteenth festival. It featured mask making, beading, storytelling and songs for children. (Photo: Craig F. Walker/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

Buffalo’s 38th Juneteenth - The third largest Juneteenth festival in the world gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Buffalo, New York, on June 15 and 16. (Photo: The Post-Standard /Landov)

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Buffalo’s 38th Juneteenth - The third largest Juneteenth festival in the world gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Buffalo, New York, on June 15 and 16. (Photo: The Post-Standard /Landov)

Jazz on Juneteenth - The Center for African-American History, Art and Culture in Aiken, North Carolina, will usher in its Juneteenth celebration with the Aiken Jazz Festival set for Friday. (Photo: Courtesy of The Center for African American History, Art and Culture)

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Jazz on Juneteenth - The Center for African-American History, Art and Culture in Aiken, North Carolina, will usher in its Juneteenth celebration with the Aiken Jazz Festival set for Friday. (Photo: Courtesy of The Center for African American History, Art and Culture)