In the 2025 Telly Award-winning episode of "Traveling With Denella," I took a deeply personal journey to Galveston, Texas -- the birthplace of Juneteenth.
Denella Ri'chard has been the host of the TV show "Traveling With Denella" since 2020. She is a former executive of Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Hilton and is also a con-sultant and industry speaker.
There, I sat down with renowned local historian Sam Collins, whose insight and passion brought new depth to a story I thought I already understood. But what I learned transformed how I view not only this holiday but American history itself.
The Juneteenth backstory
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with a message that would forever change the course of American history. He read General Order No. 3, announcing that "all slaves are free." For the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas, this was the first official word of their freedom.
Why did it take so long? As Collins explained it, Texas -- geographically remote and politically resistant -- became a final refuge for slavery as the Confederacy crumbled. Some enslavers intentionally withheld the news. Others fled to Texas specifically to avoid emancipation. Juneteenth marks the delayed but determined dawn of freedom for the last enslaved people in the U.S.
Reasons we celebrate
Juneteenth isn't just a Black story. It's an American story: a narrative of hope, resilience and triumph against unimaginable odds. It's the story of a nation struggling to live up to its founding ideals, that all are created equal.
To celebrate Juneteenth is to acknowledge our shared history honestly, to reflect on how far we've come and to recommit ourselves to justice and equality for all.
And yet, Juneteenth is not just about the past. It's a reminder that freedom and equality are not static achievements; they are ongoing pursuits. Juneteenth calls us to action. It's a day that invites education, service, conversation and unity.
Related forum: Tracing Juneteenth's roots and meaning
Across the country, communities are now using this day to host cultural festivals, educational workshops and commemorative ceremonies that foster progress and community fellowship. It's an opportunity for all Americans to take part in building a better, more inclusive future.
This is why it's so meaningful that Juneteenth became a federal holiday. President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on June 17, 2021, after decades of advocacy from community leaders, historians and everyday Americans who understood the importance of remembrance and recognition.
It was a moment of national acknowledgment -- long overdue but deeply powerful.
A personal reflection
Walking through Galveston's historical districts, I felt the weight of history and the spirit of those who waited for freedom to reach them. I thought about the strength it took not just to survive slavery but to build lives, communities and futures in its aftermath.
During the episode, Sam showed me Galveston's Freedom Walk, which included the Middle Passage marker, which commemorates enslaved people in Galveston; Reedy Chapel, where General Order No. 3 was read; and a Juneteenth mural that Sam said "helped expand the narrative" by, among other things, including images of Black Union troops.
This episode of "Traveling With Denella" wasn't just about documenting a destination. It was about uncovering truths, elevating voices and honoring the past in a way that empowers the present.
For me, celebrating Juneteenth is not optional -- it's essential.
A call to celebrate
Juneteenth teaches us that freedom delayed is still freedom worth fighting for. It invites every American to join in reflection and celebration, not just of emancipation but of the enduring belief that justice will prevail.
As we mark Juneteenth each year, let's move beyond barbecues and picnics. Let's tell the stories. Let's teach the history. Let's recognize that this moment in time belongs to all of us.
Because Juneteenth is not just Black history.
It's American history.
The "Juneteenth" special episode airs in 50-plus cities through June,
including NBC affiliates in New York, Chicago, Dallas and Seattle. Check
local listings or stream at gfntv.com.
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