today marks the first time america celebrates juneteenth as a federal holiday. you re looking at galveston, texas, the birthplace of juneteenth celebrations. 94-year-old opal lee known as the grandmother of juneteenth joined a parade through ft. worth, texas today to celebrate the federal recognition of this day which she spent her whole life fighting for. and in brooklyn today, a statue unveiled to honor george floyd. for those that may not know, juneteenth marks the day when enslaved people in texas were informed of their freedom. news that came two and a half years after president lincoln issued the emancipation proclamation. on this juneteenth a story about finding your own family s ties to history. a colleague of ours maya uncovered a unique connection to those souls to save georgetown university from foreclosure.