by Shauna Morato, KUAM News

Happy Juneteenth to all those celebrating! For many of us, Wednesday is a federal holiday, but June 19 is an incredibly important and historic day for the African-American community. Here's how Guam celebrated.

The day marks the anniversary of when General Gordon Granger read aloud to the people of Texas the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring freedom for all enslaved people in the United States. It has now become known as Juneteenth and has been celebrated by many for years, including right here on Guam.

Images were shared on social media and in numerous groupchats, including Naval Hospital Guam doing a 2.5-mile walk at Asan Beach. Up at Andersen Air Force Base, the Afrocentric Culture Committee hosted a Juneteenth cookout. Team Andersen booster clubs and members came together to play games, listen to music and enjoy food while fostering a sense of community in honor of Juneteenth.

And like many businesses and organizations who joined the celebration, Humanities Guahan posted, “This week we honor Juneteenth, a powerful reminder of the journey towards the ongoing fight for collective liberation...our stories are interconnected, reminding us that true freedom is a collective effort. We invite you to commit to building a future where liberation, justice, and equality are a reality for all.”

The day was officially established as a federal holiday by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Also known as Jubilee Day or Black Independence Day, this holiday serves as an opportunity for the education of younger generations on the adversity and strength of their ancestors.