Juneteenth is another name for June 19, 1865, the day that the enslaved Black people in the Gulf coast city of Galveston, Texas learned what most of the nation had known for more than two years: they were free and had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation issued in January 1863 at the height of the Civil War. Reportedly, the Black people of Galveston were the last slaves to be freed. This is a milestone year for Juneteenth: 155 years, and Google is marking the occasion with a special doodle that features the work of artist Loveis Wise.
"When people see this doodle, I hope that they can see themselves, even someone who doesn't share this history," Ms. Wise says in the mini-documentary on the making of the doodle. "I hope that they learn from it. I hope that they feel empowered by it. I hope that they understand African-Americans in this country and what we've been through."
So watch the doodle, which includes the voice of LeVar Burton, then watch the mini-doc, which is below. Then go and learn some more, and celebrate.
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