White Plains hosted a celebration Saturday that commemorated the end of slavery in the United States.The second annual Junteenth parade brought marchers to the downtown area to celebrate African-American independence. It was on June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers freed the last slaves in Galveston, Texas. The parade included moments that highlight African-American history, including when Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man 50 years ago.

City Hall in White Plains provided support for the parade, which had a theme of an appreciation of cultural diversity. Organizers of the event say Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the contributions made by African Americans to the country.