On June 19, 1865, U.S. Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free. This day has come to be known as Juneteenth, a combination of June and 19th. It is is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a national holiday.