But with protests over Floyd's killing and a pandemic that's disproportionately harmed Black communities, more Americans — especially white people — are becoming familiar with the holiday and commemorating it.“I feel hopeful and really, really proud to see the community of whites and Blacks joining together and for white people to really understand what the significance of Juneteenth is,” said Elaine Loving, who marched with her two daughters, grandchildren and hundreds of others in Portland, Oregon’s historically Black neighborhood, where she’s lived since 1959.Some places that didn't already mark Juneteenth as a paid holiday moved in recent days to do so, including New York state.In Tennessee, Republican Gov. At some events, including in Chicago and New York, participants packed together, though many wore masks. It came the week after Republican lawmakers voted to keep a day commemorating Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader, but remove the governor’s responsibility to sign the annual proclamation for it.The growing recognition of Juneteenth comes as protests have yielded results, including policing reforms in several places. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. A woman was shot in the leg during a protest Friday night near the Wendy's where.The protest, which was held on Juneteenth, was peaceful until suddenly, shots rang out. In Portland, Oregon, protesters who took to the streets for the 22nd consecutive night Thursday tore down a statue of George Washington that was erected in the 1920s.In addition to big marches, smaller events were held. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure all enslaved people be freed. CLICK HERE TO TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS.Haley Avery (left) hugs her cousin, Selah Moore as they pray together during a Juneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement at Centennial Olympic Park on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Bill Lee signed a proclamation Friday to recognize Juneteenth Day. We also have to celebrate the fight,” Bartholomew said. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans learned in 1865 they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the official end of slavery in the states that were part of the Confederate States of America following the American Civil War. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the official end of slavery in the states that were part of the Confederate States of America following the American Civil War.Ê(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images),Amid concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus, Stern Ferguson wears a mask during a drive through Juneteenth 2020 celebration in Dallas, Friday, June 19, 2020. We’re trying to tell the world that,” said Plum Howlett, a tattoo artist who painted part of the mural.President Donald Trump issued a message for Juneteenth, which he said was “both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.”.Trump had originally planned a rally Friday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but changed the date to Saturday amid an uproar about his appearance on a date of such significance. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren),Artist Hubert Massey raises a fist after signing his "Power to the People" mural on Woodward Ave, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer),Darren Wells stands on his float during a Juneteenth celebration, Friday, June 19, 2020, in Boston. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. Juneteenth takes on new meaning amid nationwide protests for racial justice Mike Householder 6/20/2020 Harvard study: Institutional racism 'permeates' Massachusetts justice system (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer),Helyce Roberts wears face mask with "I Can't Breathe" during a Juneteenth rally in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, June 19, 2020. The protest, which was held on Juneteenth, was peaceful until suddenly, shots rang out. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara),People pray during an event hosted by OneRace Movement at AtlantaÕs Centennial Olympic Park to commemorate Juneteenth, the date of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., on Friday, June 19, 2020. The mural, funded by the Knight Foundation and Bedrock, spells out "Power to the People". Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when a Union general read orders in Galveston, Texas stating all enslaved people in Texas were free according to federal law. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images),People march to theÊGeorgiaÊStateÊCapitol during aÊJuneteenth event Organized by the One Race Movement on June 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of … (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images),Manuela Agudelo dances during a Juneteenth celebration on June 19, 2020 in New York, United States. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. (AP Photo/John Bazemore),A person taking part in a Juneteenth march in Seattle holds a sign that reads "This the new 4th of July," Friday, June 19, 2020. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP),People demonstrate during a march in Salt Lake City Friday, June 19, 2020, to mark Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that enslaved black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed from bondage, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.