DALLAS (AP) — On Friday, communities across the United States came together to commemorate Juneteenth, while former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to the Obama Presidential Center.
The center, located on Chicago’s South Side, is dedicated to the legacy of the nation’s first Black president and serves as an inspiration for individuals to drive change in their communities. This theme aligns with the spirit of Juneteenth, a celebration marking the end of slavery in the U.S.
A person, who declined to give his name, stands for a photo during a Juneteenth celebration in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with an order declaring the freedom of enslaved people in the state. This occurred over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
W. Caleb McDaniel, a professor and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Sweet Taste of Liberty,” noted, “Juneteenth represents not just a commemoration of the end of slavery but it’s also part of the ongoing struggle for absolute equality and that ideal in American life.”
Former President Barack Obama gives a high-five during a book reading with children on opening day of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Chicago. (Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP)
The Inauguration of Obama’s Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center opened its doors to the public with a series of events following a dedication ceremony. The Obamas engaged with visitors and read to children, marking the center’s public debut on a significant day for racial equality.
Tyrone Sturgis, a visitor, expressed his enthusiasm: “For this center to open on Juneteenth, on the South Side of Chicago, it’s extraordinary, it’s awesome.”
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
The center, situated on nearly 20 acres, features a museum, a garden by Michelle Obama, a basketball court, and a library branch. Exhibits highlight significant events from Obama’s presidency and personal life, aiming to attract up to a million visitors annually.
Juneteenth’s Rich Legacy
Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, has deep roots in Black American culture, traditionally celebrated with gatherings and cookouts. Marking the freedom declared by General Order No. 3, the holiday signifies the delayed enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas.
Despite the Emancipation Proclamation, full freedom required Union military success, emphasized by McDaniel: “It really required the force of arms and the success of U.S. armies to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.”
Six months after the declaration in Texas, the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, was ratified.
Nationwide Celebrations
Galveston celebrated its historical significance with a parade, music, and community picnic, while Houston held events at Emancipation Park. Across the U.S., cities hosted parades, rides, and festivals, along with community service projects.
People participate during a Juneteenth parade, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Juneteenth walks were held in various cities in honor of Opal Lee, who advocated for the holiday’s federal recognition. Participants walked 2.5 miles to symbolize the time it took for the Emancipation Proclamation to be realized in Texas.
Reflecting on the holiday’s broader significance, Corey D.B. Walker of Wake Forest University highlighted its role in recognizing the complex history of the U.S. and contributions of Black Americans to democracy.
