What Every American Should Know About Juneteenth

The day represents the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom for African Americans

The Oak Park Drill Team makes their way through North Minneapolis in parade formation as part of the Juneteenth celebrations in 1995. Photo: Star Tribune via Getty Images

Juneteenth Freedom Day, also referred to as Black Independence Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, and just plain Juneteenth, is the celebration of the June 19, 1865 announcement by Union General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas…