And I think we honor their humanity, right, in that particular historical moment, by acknowledging the significance of Juneteenth.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

Hey, Mooney, have you ever talked about Juneteenth in one of your routines?

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

And I think Juneteenth, you know, if it's done right, allows us to celebrate and both acknowledge what's going on.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

It would be very cost - well, Mark Anthony Neal, do you think that Juneteenth ought to be a holiday?

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

It's also known as Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the day slaves in Galveston, Texas found out that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth, June 19th, 18th, 20th, I am an American.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

And I think that connect to that kind of humane aspect of slavery and emancipation and now Juneteenth is one of the ways that I would go at teaching this to my students.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

So what to make of Juneteenth?

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

But as it gotten much more popular - and I guess now there are 14 states that celebrate the holiday - you know, you find yourself in various places where Juneteenth is, in fact, a big deal, as it is here in Durham.

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

What is our Juneteenth menu?

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations

How did Juneteenth start?

NPR: Embracing Freedom: Juneteenth Celebrations