Former President Biden expected to attend Juneteenth celebrations in Galveston

GALVESTON, Texas — Former President Joe Biden was expected to attend the Juneteenth celebration on Galveston Island Thursday. Biden is among the dignitaries who are attending the Juneteenth Emancipation March and Emancipation Service at Reedy Chapel.

He was expected to join the march and the Emancipation Service at Reedy Chapel. Reedy Chapel AME was the site of the city’s first Juneteenth celebration. A march was set for 5 p.m. with the service starting at 6 p.m.

Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.

In May, 82-year-old Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. 

Broadway/Avenue J was set to be closed from 3 p.m. through 10 p.m. Thursday from 19th to 25th streets.

Galveston is the birthplace of Juneteenth, or June 19, commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved people learned of their freedom. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued by President Abraham Lincoln two years earlier.

Galveston announced a list of events to commemorate Juneteenth.

MORE EVENTS: Juneteenth in Galveston: Fireworks, history, music and more events to mark 160 years of freedom

In KHOU 11’s fifth installment of our award-winning Juneteenth series, we explore the legacy of African American families — from their roots in African villages to reunions held under Texas oaks.

This installment is available on KHOU 11+

Download KHOU 11+ on your TV, and watch for free. 

1. Download the KHOU 11+ app on your TV.
2. Search “KHOU 11”: Find the app in your streaming device’s app store.
3. Install for free: Select and download the app at no cost.
4. Start watching: Open the KHOU 11+ app dive into all our original content.