City offices and trash services close for Juneteenth. Collections move one day later for the rest of the week.

Juneteenth, observed on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, and finally enforced freedom for the last enslaved people—two and a half years after emancipation was declared. The day stands as a reminder that freedom in America was delayed and demanded, not given freely. It’s a time to celebrate Black liberation, resilience, and the unfinished work of justice.

Watch “This is Why Juneteenth is Important” by The Root for a thoughtful primer that centers the voices and experience of Black Americans.