On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Texas to announce and enforce the emancipation of slaves. The newly freed slaves gathered in Galveston where they held large public celebrations, thus laying the basis for Juneteenth celebrations.

Still, 144 years later, the celebrations of Juneteeth are held in communities across the nation and other parts of the world. Texarkana held their own celebrations this weekend where they honored the history, culture, traditions and recalled the heroes of local black history.

Though years have passed since slavery, many said the roa...

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