Juneteenth, the nation's most recent federal holiday, is celebrated by Americans on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States and has a history going back to the 1860s.

Syracuse's own Juneteenth celebrations date back decades, with local Black communities calling it "our Fourth of July."

Juneteenth is an important day that celebrates the emancipation of African Americans. Considered the longest-running African American holiday, it has grown in recognition and significance since becoming a federal holiday in 2021.