“One-hundred-and [sixty] years ago this year, the last of the enslaved black population in Galveston, Texas received word that they were officially free. Despite the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which technically ended slavery on paper, there were still 250,000 enslaved people in Texas alone who had yet to learn of their newfound freedom status until June 19, 1865. Thus, Juneteenth was born.”

— The Root