Opal Lee, a 95-year-old American educator responsible for the recognition of Juneteenth as a federally-recognized holiday, walked two and a half miles through Fort Worth to commemorate the two and a half years it took for Texas slaves to be freed even after President Abraham Lincoln’s declaration ended slavery in the southern states. Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth (June 19) marks the day in 1865 when Texas slaves were handed their freedom by Union soldiers, two months after the end of the American Civil War. The occasion was federally recognised as a holiday in 2021 after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.

Daisa Chantel kisses Anthony Beltran as they take a picture to celebrate Juneteenth at Leimert Park in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 18, 2022. 
Opal Lee, center, cheers as the Juneteenth flag is raised at Fort Worth City Hall at the conclusion of the 2022 Opal’s Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth.
Democratic candidate for governor Beto O’Rourke, bottom right, joins hundreds participating in the 2022 Opal’s Walk for Freedom on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Fort Worth.
Beto O’Rourke fist bumps a supporter in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, June 18, 2022. O’Rourke marched with Juneteenth activist Opal Lee 2.5 miles across the city in support of the federal holiday.
Members of the Acres Homes community wave at horse riders participating in the Mayor Turner’s 9th Annual Juneteenth Parade, Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Houston.