This Saturday is Juneteenth, an annual celebration which marks the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. 

Even though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation officially outlawed slavery in 1862, this didn’t become a reality nationally until  June 19, 1865. That’s when Union troops took over Texas and freed the remaining slaves who had been denied freedom. 

And earlier this week Congress passed a bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, which is now on Biden’s desk and expected to be signed this afternoon. We dive into the history, origins and evolution of Juneteenth.

With guest host Sharon McNary

GUESTS: 

Marne Campbell, historian and Chair of the Department of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University 

Kaya Dantzler, lead organizer of We Love Leimert, and a producer with Leimert Park Rising, which is co-producing its twelfth Juneteenth celebration this weekend