June 19, or Juneteenth, marks the annual observance celebrating the date that Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing those who were still enslaved in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Effective this week, Juneteenth has been designated a federal holiday, as President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by both chambers of the United States Congress this week that will designate June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day.
Learn about how The Wireless Research Center, RIoT and other North Carolina organizations are honoring Juneteenth at WRAL TechWire.