The 95-year-old black woman who helped push for the holiday to get national recognition said it's important that people learn the history behind it.
Lee walked 2 1/2 miles through Fort Worth to symbolize the 2 1/2 years it took after the abolition of slavery in the South.
After President Joe Biden signed legislation making June 19 the nation's 12th federal holiday, Americans across the country gathered at events filled with music, food and fireworks. The emphasis of the celebrations was on learning about history. Many people celebrated the day the same way they always have.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Texas to free the enslaved people of the state.
Biden stated that great nations don't ignore their most painful moments. They challenge them to grow. That is what the nation must do.
According to a Gallup Poll, Americans are more familiar with Juneteenth than they were a year ago, with 59 percent saying they know a lot or some about the holiday. The Juneteenth part of school history lessons gained support in the poll.
Many states have not designated it as a holiday. Legislators in Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and other states failed to advance proposals that would have closed state offices and given most of their employees paid time off.
The park in Houston was created by a group of formerly enslaved men. It was the only public park in the area to Blacks.
"They wanted a place that they could not only have their celebration, but they could do other things during the year as a community."
The Isley Brothers and the Gang performed. In the weeks leading up to Juneteenth, the park hosted discussions on topics such as health care and policing in communities of color.
The brother of George Floyd, who was killed by a Minneapolis police officer two years ago, and the first African American to serve as director of the National Park Service were among the participants.
Ramon Manning, chairman of the board for the Emancipation Park Conservancy, said that they want to use Juneteenth as a tool to educate people about American history.
In Fort Worth, there was a rodeo named after a black cowboy who introduced bulldogging, or steer wrestling. Valeria Howard Cunningham is the president and CEO of the rodeo.
More young people are involved in planning Juneteenth events.
Harris said that Juneteenth gives an opportunity to reflect on the different practices or norms that are conflicting with the values of freedom.
Black culture and businesses are celebrated at some of the largest celebrations in the U.S.
Hundreds of people gathered for an annual event at Eastlake Park, which has been a focal point for civil rights in Arizona. The recently crowned Miss Juneteenth Arizona used her platform to speak about her feelings of empowerment, as well as her fellow Black women, during the state competition, which is part of a nationwide competition that celebrates the academic and artistic achievements of Black women.
"It's not about competing against each other for a crown, it's about celebrating Black women's intelligence and staying true to ourselves, and that's what Juneteen is all about."
The teen Miss Juneteenth Arizona said the holiday is about social justice.
She said that they have to fight twice as hard to have the same freedom. This day is important to celebrate how far we've come and it's important to fight for my generation.
That's right.
A writer for the Associated Press contributed to the report. Mumphrey is a member of the AP race and ethnicity team. She can be followed at http://soundcloud.com/cheymumph
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