Today (June 19), the United States of America is celebrating the holiday of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is the day federal troops finally arrived to Galveston, Texas on this day in 1865. Two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, they were sent to take control of the state and make sure that the remaining people were free of slavery, officially marking the day end of slavery in the United States.

As more companies and politicians start to recognize the day, as one of the most important in our nation’s history, we will also use this day to educate, and celebrate the culture in which hip hop was birthed from.

Enjoy this day with a special playlist curated by Hot 97.