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Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States, is this week.

Although Juneteenth celebrations were documented as early as 1866, it wasn’t officially recognized as a federal holiday until 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.

The country’s youngest federal holiday also gained prominence in 2020 amid nationwide protests after Minneapolis man George Floyd and Louisville, Kentucky, woman Breonna Taylor were killed during encounters with law enforcement, USA TODAY reports.

Increased awareness of and opposition toward Confederate monuments, flags and symbols also occurred during this time as the country grappled with its long-standing history of systemic racism.

Despite the recent popularity surrounding Juneteenth, many people may be unaware of when it is, its history or how to celebrate.

Here’s everything to know about Juneteenth 2025.  

What is Juneteenth, and why is it celebrated?

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday, the History Channel reports.

On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which effectively freed enslaved persons in the Confederate states during the Civil War. Enslavers were responsible for telling enslaved people they were free, but many ignored the order.

Texas was the last Confederate state to announce the proclamation. It happened on June 19, 1865, when Union leader Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger informed a community in Galveston, Texas, that President Abraham Lincoln had freed enslaved people two and a half years earlier, per USA TODAY.

The first known Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 and spread across the country as African Americans migrated to new cities.

When is Juneteenth 2025?

Juneteenth is observed annually on June 19.

What day is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth will be observed Thursday, June 19, this year.

Where does the name ‘Juneteenth’ come from?

Juneteenth is a combination of “June” and “nineteenth” in honor of June 19, 1865 – the day Granger announced the abolition of slavery in Texas. The holiday is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

When was Juneteenth made a federal holiday?

Juneteenth became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, when former President Joe Biden signed it into law.

How do people celebrate Juneteenth?

Early Juneteenth celebrations involved prayer services, guest speakers and annual pilgrimages to Galveston by formerly enslaved people and their descendants, according to Juneteenth.com. Today, the holiday is often commemorated with outdoor cookouts, music, parades, beauty pageants and more.

The official Juneteenth website also outlines several ways you can celebrate the new holiday in your workplace, community or home, starting with a reading of its history to learn how Juneteenth celebrations have evolved over the years.

Supporting Black-owned businesses and organizations is also one of the most important ways to observe Juneteenth.

Here’s a list of Black-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati you can support this Juneteenth.

2025 Cincinnati Juneteenth block party

The 2025 Juneteenth Block Party is Saturday, June 21, from 4-11 p.m. on Freedom Way at The Banks. This family-friendly event features appearances from Cincinnati Reds mascots, live performers, a lineup of DJs, a Family Zone experience and a tribute to Black fraternities, sororities and alumni organizations, with special recognition of the Divine 9. The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must RSVP. For more information, visit paloozanoire.com.