On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure all enslaved people were freed. As the news spread, so too did the celebrations – Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, was born. Today, people across the country celebrate with barbecues, parades, prayers services, music, and more.