President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the 1865 announcement of freedom for enslaved people in Texas. It is now a federal holiday.
On Juneteenth, celebrations acknowledge freedom and humanity. Slavery was a social evil where enslaved people, mostly of African descent, suffered terribly. Discrimination based on skin color persists in America, although to a lesser extent. Historically, America has favored some ethnic minorities over others. Some European English-speaking groups have prospered, while generally speaking, African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and some Asian communities still seek social and economic parity. Immigrants from Europe and Asia have sought better opportunities here, with varying degrees of success.
America is richer due to the contributions of immigrants, and while racial prejudices persist, they are less tolerated today.
