Juneteenth 2025: Commemorating 160 Years Of Freedom
The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) proudly joins all Americans—especially our African American sisters and brothers—in commemorating the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day. This federal holiday marks June 19, 1865—the historic day when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Juneteenth is, above all, a celebration of freedom.
It is a day to honor the memory of all who suffered under slavery, to acknowledge the resilience and enduring contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history, and to reaffirm our collective responsibility to confront racism in all its forms. Good citizenship demands an honest reckoning with our past. Juneteenth reminds us that the fight for full equality continues.
This day underscores a profound truth: African American history is an integral part of American history. Without it, the American story remains incomplete. Juneteenth invites us to learn, reflect, and recommit to the ideals of liberty and justice for all. Though slavery was legally abolished in 1865, its legacy persists in systemic injustice and social inequality that endure to this day.
Juneteenth compels us to remember one of the darkest chapters in our national journey—when millions were denied the very rights enshrined in our founding documents. Yet it also celebrates the strength, spirit, and progress of Black Americans whose pursuit of justice has shaped—and continues to shape—our country. Their ongoing struggle has inspired oppressed people across the globe.
This year’s observance arrives amid global unrest and widespread human suffering, from Ukraine to the devastation in Gaza, and rising tensions in the Middle East. In these testing times, the message of Juneteenth stands as a beacon of hope. The resilience born from the African American struggle continues to inspire movements for justice and dignity worldwide.
On this occasion, AHRC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending, protecting, and advancing human rights—both in the United States and abroad. The path to peace and justice is long, but the spirit of Juneteenth strengthens our resolve to press forward, together.
We stand with all communities striving for equality, and we draw strength and hope from the resilience that Juneteenth represents.