Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Here's some of its history, and how it came to be a national holiday. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in the Confederate states — on paper, at least.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the legacy of emancipation, means that many government offices are to close amid celebrations.

Juneteenth 2025 is this week. Here's what to know about the federal holiday, why it's celebrated and its origins.