Edison Township commemorated its first Juneteenth celebration Saturday along with other Garden State communities.

Just last year, Juneteenth became a state holiday and then a federal holiday.

June 19, or Juneteenth, or even Jubilee Day, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved Blacks in Galveston, Texas, got word of the Emancipation Proclamation from Union soldiers that all enslaved Blacks were free.

Organizers for this weekend's activities said Juneteenth is important not just for Black Americans, but for all Americans.

"It is important to recognize what the African American community has done for this country," said vendor Steven Rhim. "It's important for our community to get this because it adds pride to not just us but to our children."

"This celebration is about freedom for all and for all that are oppressed, and how injustice still exists and we need to conquer those," said Director of Recreation of Edison Township Joyce Fircha.

The federal holiday will be observed on Monday, June 20.

In New Jersey, the holiday was observed Friday. However, state residents celebrated all weekend long.