Juneteenth 2025 is near: What this historic holiday means and how U.S is honoring the end of slavery

Juneteenth is a day to honor the end of slavery in the United States and reflect on the spirit of Black freedom, as per reports.

America’s “Second Independence Day”

While it was celebrated unofficially on June 19 for more than 150 years, the US now has officially declared the day as a federal holiday, as per a Delaware Online report.

NMAAHC said, "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," as quoted in the report.

A Long Journey to Freedom

The day marks the importance of what happened on June 19, 1865, when about 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, according to the report. The troops helped free more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state through executive decree and the day came to be known as Juneteenth by the newly freed people in Texas, according to Delaware Online.

Juneteenth came over two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation as Confederate Texas was not under Union control until 1865, according to the Detroit Free Press.

How Juneteenth is Celebrated

Juneteenth World Wide Celebration says in its webiste that, "It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings," quoted the Detroit Free Press report. It also said, "It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future," as quoted in the Detroit Free Press report.

What Will Be Closed on Juneteenth 2025

On June 19, all federal offices will be closed, including courts, post offices, social security offices and others, as per the report. State offices, like the Secretary of State, will be closed, and state employees will get the day off, reported Detroit Free Press

Even local government offices, courts, and the US Postal Service, with the exception of Holiday Premium Priority Mail Express and Holiday Same Day Package Delivery, will all be closed on that day, as per the report.

FAQs

Why is Juneteenth called “America’s second Independence Day”?
Because while July 4 marks freedom from British rule, Juneteenth represents freedom for millions of enslaved people.

Is Juneteenth a federal holiday now?
Yes, it officially became a federal holiday in 2021.