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,

Also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth falls annually on June 19, the date in 1865 when Union troops brought the news to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, that they had been freed.

The first celebration of Juneteenth was held in Texas in 1866 and it is now considered the longest-running holiday for Black and African American communities. Here are some of the events planned to mark the occasion in the Bay Area this week: Hella Juneteenth Festival (Oakland): June 19,