The year of 2015 will be the 150th year of the annual historic celebration since its naming on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth, or June 19, is the date celebrated and heralded by Americans as the nation’s second independence day, where freed slaves in the 19th century acknowledged their newly learned freedom by joyous singing, dancing and feasting. The day’s activities has not only become tradition, but a state holiday or observance in over 40 states.