Posted By Jenna Jones on Fri, Jun 18, 2021 at 3:14 pm
Juneteenth marks the day every citizen in the United States actually became free. After Union troops rode into Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865 — more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation — and freed the remaining slaves, celebrations broke out. The celebrations have continued yearly in Black communities since.
As of yesterday, Juneteenth is now a federally recognized holiday, showing how far the day has come far in its 156 years. That’s cause for a celebration. Parades, parties, walks and bike rides are breaking out across St. Louis.
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