New Jersey is observing Juneteenth today, commemorating the date when hundreds of thousands of enslaved men and women in Texas finally learned they had been freed in 1865.

There are a number of events planned to mark the day across the state, including on Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick -- where people are making a mural.

The piece celebrates equality and marks the struggle for freedom. Juneteenth is actually Sunday, but the state is observing it today. State offices are closed.

The mural will be painted on one of the busiest intersections of the city. Artist Louis-Miguel Caraballo says it will show children playing, chains being broken and a butterfly. He says working on it feels empowering

“As an afro-Latino male, it's very important to me,” says Caraballo. “I faced challenges throughout my time as a young man, so I feel like it's something that needs to be brought forth and forward and it's just an amazing time to be an afro-Latino man."