Juneteenth, What this Day Means to These Two Longtime Palo Altans

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipaption of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining June and nineteenth, it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas.

President Joe Biden signed the legislation that made Juneteenth a federal holiday in June 2021. Nearly half of the states now recognize it an an official holiday.