America's Second Independence Day is today. So, what is Juneteenth? And why is it celebrated? Here's what to know.

States that do not recognize Juneteenth as a permanent state holiday include Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as of June 17. This means Juneteenth is not a paid day off in these states.

On Thursday, the United States government is pausing its ongoing transformation into the sharp instrument of Donald Trump ’s MAGA movement to close for Juneteenth. June 19 has been a federal holiday since 2021, when Joe Biden signed legislation designating it as a day to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the U.S.