Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, is celebrated as a pivotal moment in both Houston-area and American history. (KPRC)
HOUSTON – Today is Juneteenth, a national holiday recognizing the day the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 — when Union troops arrived in Galveston and read the Emancipation Proclamation, marking a pivotal moment in both Houston-area history and American history.
Watch: What Juneteenth means to one Pearland family
(KPRC 2 News anchor Sofia Ojeda interviews Eugene Howard, president and CEO of Visionary Outreach.)
Celebrations across the Houston area
Multiple Juneteenth events are planned across the region, including a community celebration at Independence Park in Pearland.
When: Saturday, June 20
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Where: Independence Park, Pearland
‘Part of our family legacy’
For one Pearland family, Juneteenth is more than a date on the calendar — it’s a legacy passed down through generations.
Ojeda sat down with Eugene Howard, president and CEO of Visionary Outreach, to discuss what the holiday represents and why remembering its history matters today.
