Juneteenth is a 155-year-old holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. It is also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day or Juneteenth Independence Day. The name "Juneteenth references the date of the holiday, combining the words "June" and "nineteen. President Biden on Thursday, June 17th. signed into law a measure that makes June 19, or Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.