Juneteenth is this week. The holiday marking the official end of slavery is celebrated annually on June 19, but only became recognized as a federal holiday a few years ago. Here's what to know.

The resulting Juneteenth holiday — its name combining “June” and “nineteenth” — has only grown in one-and-a-half centuries.

States that do not recognize Juneteenth as a permanent state holiday include Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, as of June 17.

The “Juneteenth” name references the date of the holiday, combining the words “June” and “nineteenth.” Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

Still, many people anticipate getting Juneteenth off work. There are a plethora of street festivals, fairs, concerts and other events planned throughout the week leading into the holiday.

Like the American flag, it is red, white and blue to indicate those freed are also Americans. The five-point white star in the middle is a tribute to Juneteenth’s birthplace of Texas.

More people, however, have leaned into the Juneteenth flag created in 1997 by activist Ben Haith, who founded the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation. Like the American flag, it is red, white ...