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Juneteenth, which commemorates the freeing in Galveston of the last U.S. slaves on June 19, 1865, increasingly is being observed. Though originally a local Texas holiday, it's now recognized in 18 states and celebrated in more than 200 cities. Charles Taylor, academic dean of Herzing College in Madison, Wis., and author of Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom, tells Ayesha Court for USA TODAY his favorite places to celebrate the end of this grim chapter in U.S. history. Underground Railroad Freedom Center: The Cincinnati site explores the importance of the system that moved slaves to freedom. By Farshid Assassi, Assassi Productions National Ashton Villa Monument Galveston From June 12-19, "Galveston is the place to be," Taylor says. There's music, dancing, a parade and the Miss Juneteenth Pageant. The celebration culminates with a ceremony at the Juneteenth monument at Ashton Villa, where Union Gen. Gordon Granger proclaimed the last slaves free. 409-744-1491 DuSable Museum of African-American History Chicago Its Juneteenth celebration on June 17 "is not to be missed," Taylor says, and will include performances, slave narrative readings and films. Permanent exhibits include African-American inventors, pioneers and art. 773-947-0600; dusablemuseum.org National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Cincinnati "Cincinnati served as a major hub of activity on the Underground Railroad," Taylor says, and the center "chronicles the struggle for freedom." Interactive exhibits include slaves' journeys from Africa to the Americas, an authentic, rebuilt slave pen and the history of the Underground Railroad. The center will host a large family-friendly celebration on June 17. 513-333-7500; freedomcenter.org Juneteenth Celebration Madison, Wis. In 2005, more than 10,000 people gathered on the South Side to take in the parade, beginning at the Fountain of Life Church and ending in Penn Park. The June 17 celebration this year "features exhibits, soul food, music, performances, kids' events" and a whole lot more, Taylor says. 608-255-5270; madison.com/communities/kujichagulia/events/index.php The Lincoln Memorial Washington The National Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Slavery begins midmorning June 17. Speakers, music, poetry and more will be featured. 202-426-6841; nps.gov/linc National Park Service Booker T. Washington monument: The cabin in Hardy, Va., where the former slave grew up, has been reconstructed. Booker T. Washington National Monument Hardy, Va. Born a slave on the 207-acre tobacco farm that now is a national monument, Washington went on to become a teacher. In 1881, he helped found Alabama's famed Tuskegee Institute and was its first principal. Visitors "may come away with a deeper appreciation of his accomplishments during a very hostile era for blacks," says Taylor. The park features a reconstruction of the cabin described in his autobiography, Up from Slavery, and the original plantation buildings. The June 17 celebration will center on gospel music. 540-721-2094; nps.gov/bowa America's Black Holocaust Museum Milwaukee The museum is dedicated to the more than 1 million enslaved blacks who died during the Middle Passage — "the month-long, overcrowded and often deadly sea journey from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean," Taylor says, and to the "several thousand who were lynched in the U.S." On June 19, along Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee will host one of the largest Juneteenth celebrations. 414-264-2500; blackholocaustmuseum.org The Harriet Tubman Home Auburn, N.Y. Set on 26 acres, the home of this remarkable woman who was a nurse, spy, cook and the Underground Railroad conductor nicknamed the slaves' Moses is "a place to celebrate Juneteenth in reflection," Taylor says. Visitors can take a guided tour of the first floor of her home, view a video and photos, and picnic on the grounds. 315-252-2081; nyhistory.com/harriettubman National Civil Rights Museum Memphis Located in the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the museum's Exploring the Legacy wing "provides visitors with important information about the civil rights movement," Taylor says. Completed in 2001, it explores the movement after his death and its legacy here and abroad. 901-521-9699; civilrightsmuseum.org San Francisco Juneteenth "If you want to mix history with great jazz and an all-around great time, head west," Taylor says. This year marks the 56th anniversary of one of the nation's oldest and largest Juneteenth celebrations, scheduled for June 17 and 18. In addition to live music, there's a parade along Fillmore Street and a domino tournament. 415-931-2729; sfjuneteenth.org Subscribe Today: Home Delivery of USA TODAY - Save 25% USATODAY.com partners: USA Weekend Sports Weekly Education Space.com