Today is Monday, June 20th, 2022. On this day, America will observe Juneteenth as a federally recognized holiday for the second year in our nation's history. But for millions of Americans, this holiday has been an integral part of celebrating freedom and independence long before it was federally acknowledged. This commemorative holiday is a reminder that not only did our ancestors fight foreign powers to earn our freedom; we had to fight ourselves. And in quite possibly the greatest understatement in our nation's history, it was NOT without sacrifice, violence, and resistance.