Sofia Ojeda speaks with Visionary Outreach CEO Eugene Howard about the holiday’s history, meaning and legacy in the Houston area
Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of the last enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, is celebrated as a pivotal moment in both Houston-area and American history. (KPRC)
HOUSTON – Today is Juneteenth, a national holiday recognizing the day the last enslaved people in Texas learned they were free.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 — when Union troops arrived in Galveston and read the Emancipation Proclamation, marking a pivotal moment in both Houston-area history and American history.
Watch: What Juneteenth means to one Pearland family
(KPRC 2 News anchor Sofia Ojeda interviews Eugene Howard, president and CEO of Visionary Outreach.)
Celebrations across the Houston area
Multiple Juneteenth events are planned across the region, including a community celebration at Independence Park in Pearland.
When: Saturday, June 20
Time: 6–9 p.m.
Where: Independence Park, Pearland
‘Part of our family legacy’
For one Pearland family, Juneteenth is more than a date on the calendar — it’s a legacy passed down through generations.
Ojeda sat down with Eugene Howard, president and CEO of Visionary Outreach, to discuss what the holiday represents and why remembering its history matters today.
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About the AuthorSofia Ojeda headshotSofia Ojeda
Award-winning journalist, proud immigrant, happy wife, beaming mom. Addicted to coffee. Love to laugh.