Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Though it has long been celebrated among the African American community, it is a history that has been marginalized and still remains largely unknown to the wider public. The legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of deep hope and urgent organizing in uncertain times. 

Watch the video as the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Founding Director Lonnie Bunch III leads a tour through their Slavery and Freedom exhibition to celebrate Juneteenth, highlighting stories behind some of our most popular objects, including Nat Turner’s bible, freedom papers of free African Americans and a Sibley tent that housed African Americans who ran from Southern plantations in search of freedom with the Union army.

Watch the video on demand at: https://fb.watch/5LG1-FNdYk/ or https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/celebrating-juneteenth