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\"I would argue, it is our God-given right to have freedom,\" she added. \"It is your birthright to have freedom, and then during slavery freedom was taken. And so we're not going to celebrate being given back what God gave us anyway\" as the group voiced agreement, one person saying, \"Amen.\"

She continued, \"let this be a day that is a day to celebrate the principle of freedom, but to speak about it honestly and accurately, both in the context of history, and current application. That's what I'm thinking about today.\"

\"PHOTO:
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images
PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff greet children at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., to mark Juneteenth on June 20, 2022.
>

The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016, when it became \"the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution,\" according to the museum's website.

After their remarks, the second couple talked with children as they worked on coloring books.

The surprise appearance on Monday follows Harris and Emhoff hosting the first-ever Juneteenth celebration at the vice president's residence, she tweeted on Sunday.

I can think of no better way to celebrate Juneteenth than by spending time with community. The @SecondGentleman and I were proud to welcome families to our home for the first-ever Juneteenth celebration at the Vice President's Residence. pic.twitter.com/hiF7plH71H

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 20, 2022

\"I can think of no better way to celebrate Juneteenth than by spending time with the community,\" Harris said, sharing a photo of R&B duo sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey, who spoke at the event.

Biden released a statement on Sunday afternoon calling Juneteenth \"a day of profound weight and power that reminds us of our extraordinary capacity to heal, hope, and emerge from our most painful moments into a better version of ourselves.\"

He added, \"This is a day to celebrate, to educate, and to act.\"

Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a paid state holiday.

ABC News' Molly Nagle contributed to this report.

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