Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday after President Biden signs bill in White House ceremony

President Joe Biden Thursday signed legislation marking Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in Confederate states, as a federal holiday.

"Great nations don't ignore their most painful moments, they embrace them," Biden said. "In remembering those moments, we begin to heal and grow stronger." 

The president signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in the East Room of the White House, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and key lawmakers in the swift passage of the bill.

"We have come far and we have far to go, but today...