Juneteenth celebrations took place across the U.S., commemorating the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas learned of their freedom. While long honored by Black Americans, the holiday has gained broader recognition since becoming a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, who attended an event in Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth began.
Former President Joe Biden gets a hug from Rev. Lernette (People) Patterson after speaking at a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jaala Martin dances as Former President Joe Biden watches during a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Lisha Bell shows off her earrings during festivities at the Oakland Museum to celebrate Juneteenth in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025.(Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Areda Boyd, left, and DeAnna Baldridge, center, dance at the Oakland Museum to celebrate Juneteenth in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 19, 2025.(Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
People dance as the DJ plays at the Juneteenth Celebration at the Oakland Museum of California on Thursday, June 19, 2025.(Richard H. Grant/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Kelsea and Kennedy Branford watch during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Nii Osenda of the Akwaaba Ensemble dances during a Juneteenth celebration at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Levis Martin, left, and his brother Daniel dance during a Juneteenth celebration at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
T.J. Wheeler sings along with the Leftist Marching Band during a Juneteenth celebration at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Paul Wendell wears a Juneteenth themed t-shirt during a Juneteenth celebration at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Monet Jacobs sings during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Former President Joe Biden holds up a T-shirt designed with the date 1865 during a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
People dance to Akwaaba Ensemble during a Juneteenth celebration at the African Burying Ground Memorial Park Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Portsmouth, N.H. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Former President Joe Biden bows his head in prayer during a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
