The historical event commemorated by the annual observance of June 19th, known as Juneteenth, is the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation. Though the proclamation had been issued two years earlier, many enslaved individuals remained unaware of their freedom. Juneteenth symbolizes African American resilience, the fight for civil rights, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality.