Today, we celebrate the abolition of slavery in America. For those who don’t know the history, Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that the last formerly enslaved people found out they were free. You can learn more about the history of Juneteenth here.
In this critical moment in our country, it is important to remember that freedom was not granted by any one person. It was a hard-fought battle, won through uprisings, revolts, and many sacrifices. But the fight for freedom wasn’t over and done with in 1865 — freedom and justice for all is still being fought in the streets today.
Juneteenth is a day to honor Black freedom, resistance, and liberation. Observe, celebrate, and honor that by supporting the Black community however you can. You can find a collection of nationwide Juneteenth events hosted by the Movement for Black Lives here.
And remember, today and everyday, Black Lives Matter.