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Today mark’s Juneteenth, a day of hope and inspiration. It became a national federal holiday last year to celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people. However, it wasn’t until June 19, 1865 that slaves in Texas learnt of this news and the last slaves were truly freed.​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ "Today’s Senate passage of our legislation to commemorate Juneteenth as a federal holiday will address this long-ignored gap in our history, recognize the wrong that was done, acknowledge the pain and suffering of generations of slaves and their descendants, and finally celebrate their freedom," said Senator Ed Markey last year. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the past and a symbol of America's progress, and the work still to be done.