as union soldiers spread paving the way for them to mayor, to vote, to vote and to worship and decide their own destiny. the civil war officially ended in april 1865, but in a small community of gavelston island, texas, enslaved slaves were owe believious to their reality, two and a half years after the signing of the emancipation proclamation when a u.s. general informed the last enslaved black people in america that freedom had finally comp the people erupted in joy. that joy became the catalyst for juneteenth. in 2021 juneteenth became an official federal holiday. now recognized across the united states as a day of national celebration. juneteenth is a reminder. it is a reminder of what black people in america have been through and what black people have overcome. it is a commemoration of our resilience. our ingenuity, and most importantly our capacity for joy. our joy is worthy of celebration, and on this day we remember that our freedom must be honored, nurtured and pr
what up, what up, what up, y all. my name is kendrick sampson. i m from houston, texas. you already know what it is. juneteenth has a special place in my heart. it s my favorite holiday. and y all know gospel music has always been an empowering and driving force in the fight for freedom. the black church often provided a safe haven in organizing for our liberation. this holiday is a reminder that we don t stop until no one is left in bondage. this year, juneteenth falls on sunday. so y all know we gotta take it