---
title: "Juneteenth: A Day Celebrating Freedom in America — Women's Public Leadership Network"
description: "Today is “  Juneteenth  ,\" the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. It was in Texas on June 19, 1865 -- more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation -- that the last remaining slaves in America learned of their freedom.  Many Americans had never he"
---

[Blog – Women's Public Leadership Network ](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog)

# [Juneteenth: A Day Celebrating Freedom in America — Women's Public Leadership Network](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/2020/6/19/juneteenth-a-day-celebrating-freedom-in-america)

 Written by [Sarah Quinlan](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/author/sarah-quinlan) | Jun 19, 2020 4:00:00 AM

Today is “[**Juneteenth**](https://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm)," the oldest known celebration honoring the end of slavery in the United States. It was in Texas on June 19, 1865 -- more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation -- that the last remaining slaves in America learned of their freedom.

Many Americans had never heard of this celebratory day until somewhat recently, but [celebrating it as a federal holiday](https://reason.com/2019/06/19/its-time-to-celebrate-juneteenth-americas-other-independence-day/) would ensure more of America's history is taught while honoring America's commitment to liberty, equality, and justice.

Today we wanted to highlight Opal Lee, a 93-year-old Texan woman who has spent years raising awareness of Juneteenth and urging its inclusion as a federal holiday. [She told the *New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/style/opal-lee-juneteenth.html) she is "so happy to see things coming to fruition and the fact that we are almost there making it a holiday" that she could do a "holy dance." [Learn more about Opal Lee here](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/style/opal-lee-juneteenth.html).

[View full post](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/2020/6/19/juneteenth-a-day-celebrating-freedom-in-america)

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