CENTRAL TEXAS (KXXV) — Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery.
The holiday marks the day in 1865 when Union Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and issued orders enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation—more than two years after it was first signed.
The term "Juneteenth," first recorded in the 1890s, is a blend of the words "June" and "nineteenth" to honor that historic date.
Here is a local list of events to celebrate the holiday:
- KILLEEN: In Killeen, the NAACP is hosting a series of community events to celebrate and honor Juneteenth.
COPPERAS COVE: The Copperas Cove Public Library will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 21, from noon to 2 p.m. The event will feature refreshments and a showcase of the 2025 Coretta Scott King Award winners.
