The U.S. government was slow to embrace the occasion -- it was only in 2021 that President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by Congress to set aside Juneteenth, or June 19, as a federal holiday.

For generations, Black Americans have recognized the end of one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history with joy, in the form of parades, street festivals, musical performances or cookouts. Around the Bay Area, celebrations honoring Juneteenth are getting underway this month leading up to, and on the holiday itself.

Here is a listing of some of the top Juneteenth events.

Bay Area Juneteenth events:

Friday, June 14

• Mayor Breed's Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration: SF City Hall, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m., City of SF

Saturday, June 15

• Juneteenth Decades Fashion Show: SF Fillmore District, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Decades Edition - 80s - 90s - 2K: Fillmore and Geary to Fulton, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• 43rd Annual Juneteenth In the Streets Festival: Downtown San Jose, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Fillmore District, SF, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Juneteenth SF Freedom Organization

Sunday, June 16

• Juneteenth Festival Bayview Father's Day Festival: Gilman Park, Bayview, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Hellastalgia Juneteenth Event: 701 Clay Street, Oakland, 3 - 8 p.m.

Monday, June 17

• Juneteenth Kickoff Rally: City Hall, SF, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m., City of SF

Wednesday, June 19

• Hella Juneteenth The Cookout: Oakland Museum of CA, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Juneteenth in the Town, hosted by Loren Taylor: Downtown Oakland, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 22

• Annual Hayward Freedom Celebration: Hayward Heritage Plaza, 12 - 6 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Pinole is where the city's youngest mayor used his unique perspective to create a celebration highlighting both events.

If you want to get to know someone, they say you should take a walk in their shoes.
Or in Devin Murphy's case, just take a walk alongside him.

"He's exceptional." "He is at every little gathering in the city we go to! He's very personal, he knows my name." Those are some of the words said about Pinole Mayor Devin Murphy.

In 2023, Murphy became the youngest mayor in Pinole's 120-year history -- being sworn in at just 29 years old. He was also the city's first Black and openly gay mayor.

"It was very difficult to understand how folks received me so as I was trying to build approval I had to recognize I am who I am, and I was going to no matter what, maybe piss off some people but also make others happy and make lives better," Murphy told KRON4.

One of the ways he looked to make lives better was to create space for community empowerment. Under his direction, the city launched a dual Pride and Juneteenth celebration, which is now in its second year.

"It's about recognizing the historic significance of both events," Murphy said. "I feel like my purpose is to create spaces like this. It could be because I sit on the intersections of these identities. But I also frankly think it's just who I am as a human being."

Being the first leader of the city to tick off so many boxes wasn't new for Murphy. He was also the first openly gay and Black student body president at his alma mater UCLA.

However, just because he'd been the first before, doesn't mean it was always comfortable.

"As mayor, I went to meetings with all mayors of Contra Costa County monthly, and most of those mayors weren't my age; they didn't look like me and had backgrounds different from me," Murphy said.

Those differences only emboldened Murphy to do more for his community, crediting his mother for influencing his passion for public service.

"Seeing her work in social welfare in uplifting our city and community inspired me to make systemic changes," he said.

Murphy remains on the city council and is currently mayor emeritus. His true passion is to create clean economy initiatives.

"One day I hope everybody in Pinole has solar, has storage for that solar, and I hope that they feel it's going to empower them to be better neighbors to each other," Murphy said.

Murphy joins this walking group regularly to connect with those he represents. He says he simply wants people to feel like democracy is working for them.

"I want them to recognize they are seen, and they are heard and that I may not know everything about their community," Murphy said. "But I'm willing to listen and willing to bring their backgrounds, cultures creeds and understanding of the world into policy here in Pinole."

KRON4's Pride Special will air at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26.

The city's second annual Juneteenth Parade will commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans and celebrate African American culture. Attractions at the parade will include floats, live music, special guests, food and drink, and games. There will also be a number of street closures in effect.

SF Juneteenth parade street closures:

• Market Street from Beale to Steuart: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Steuart Street from Market to Howard: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Mission Street Intersection will remain open
• Spear Street from Market to Howard: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Mission Street intersection will remain open
• Main Street from Market to Howard: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m
• Market Street from 8th to Steuart: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• 8th Street from Market to Mission: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Hyde Street from McAllister to Market: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Grove Street from Market to Van Ness: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The easiest way to get the parade is via the Muni Metro Subway, SFMTA advises. For those marching in the parade, Embarcadero Station is the nearest to the formation area.

For those watching the parade, Civic Center, Powell and Montgomery stations are all along the parade route.

SF Juneteenth parade route

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Market and Spear and proceed west along Market to 8th. Vehicles and parade floats will disperse at 8th, SFMTA said. Those walking in the parade will disperse onto westbound Grove and northbound Hyde streets.

There will also be a number of Muni service reroutes, according to SFMTA.