On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day came to be known as Juneteenth, now officially a federal holiday.

Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.

The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times.