Today is Juneteenth, a day honoring the emancipation of enslaved Americans, that after a century

and a half is finally a federal holiday.

Remember, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation back in

1863, but the Confederacy didn't surrender for two years. That was April 1865. Two months after

that, on June 19th, Union troops finally made it to Galveston, Texas,

the last stronghold of slavery to once and for all declare every person free. This is America's second Independence Day. So today

we're going to do something special for Juneteenth. We're bringing you two

different stories, one about the legacy of Juneteenth itself,

and then another will look forward a little

examining the future of black Americans

and how that's being debated in an election year.

And today, we consecrate Juneteenth for what it ought to be, what it must be, a national holiday.

Remember, June 19th has only been recognized as a federal holiday for the last three years.

Generations of advocates had to fight for that honor,

perhaps none more than 97-year-old Texan,

Opel Lee.

This Opel Lee made it her mission to make history,

not erase it. We're at a better nation because of you.

And just this weekend ABC's DeMarco Morgan, the co-anchor of GMA 3,

went to Lee's new home in Texas in that same community where this holiday originated.

DeMarco is with us this morning.

Thanks for being with us, DeMarco.

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