Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, when Union General Gordon Granger informed enslaved Texans that they had been freed. This signified the official end to the Civil War. Juneteenth was signed into legislation as a federal holiday in 2021.

While early Juneteenth celebrations involved prayer and family gatherings, today’s celebrations include larger events like parades or festivals with local businesses and residents. The holiday is associated with the color red as it symbolizes sacrifice and transition, and celebrations often include red foods such as red velvet cake, barbequed meats and red beverages.

Here are some easy ways to celebrate Juneteenth this year:

1. Share a commitment to dismantling racism. You can use social media to raise awareness, encouraging others to educate themselves and take a stand against racism.
2. Acknowledge your privilege. Learn about the history of slavery in the United States, especially the perspectives that are left out of traditional education.
3. Support Black organizations and individuals in your community. Volunteer at a Juneteenth event, shop with minority-owned businesses and eat at Black-owned restaurants.
4. Attend local Juneteenth events and visit Black history museums or cultural sites to learn about the Civil Rights Movement and anti-racism. No museums nearby? Watch an online interactive tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
5. Learn more by reading books, listening to podcasts and watching documentaries that discuss Juneteenth.