People across the United States celebrate Juneteenth, marking June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas were informed by by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army they had been freed. This year's observances take place amid a period of renewed protests against police brutality and calls for social justice for African Americans.

Protesters gather on June 17, 2020, to call for justice for Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old black man found dead hanging in a tree in Palmdale, Calif.

Protests broke out in cities across the United States and Europe after a white police officer in Minneapolis was recorded kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man. Floyd died and the officer has been charged in the May 25, 2020 encounter. The movement is demanding justice in other police brutality cases, as well as widespread changes in policing.

President Donald Trump gives a graduation speech at the West Point graduation ceremony at Plain Parade Field in New York on June 13, 2020.

Astronauts from the United States and the European Space Agency, along with engineers and scientists on the ground around the world, are capturing some amazing images from outer space. Many were released in celebration of the Hubble Telescope's 30th anniversary. Here are some of the recent highlights.

SpaceX's first mission with NASA astronauts on board launched at 3:22 p.m. EDT May 30, 2020, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.This was the first crewed launch from U.S. soil since the space shuttle era ended in 2011. The Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station the following day, delivering two American astronauts.

Mourners gather in Houston to pay final respects to George Floyd during a funeral at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Floyd's hometown. A viewing was held in the city the prior day. Floyd was killed on Memorial Day in Minneapolis after an officer kneeled on his neck for almost nine minutes, sparking international protests.

The world is slowly starting to open up again as the threat of the crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic begins to ease in some countries. From China to Israel to the United States, here's a look at places beginning to reopen.

New York City swiftly became the U.S. epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, with cases perhaps starting to peak around April 15, 2020. The city has been virtually shut down except for essential businesses. Hospitals were overloaded and the U.S. military has provided help. Here's a collection of scenes from UPI photographer John Angelillo.

The state of California has enacted a shelter-in-place order in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus, urging residents to stay in their homes except for essential travel and closing non-essential businesses. Red carpet events have been canceled. The production of many films and TV shows has been suspended.

The holy monthlong Muslim celebration of Ramadan began at sundown on April 23, 2020. The coronavirus pandemic greatly impacted celebrations for millions of Muslims around the world. Here's a look at how Palestinians have observed the holy month.

With social-distancing requirements during the coronavirus pandemic, the Class of 2020 had to get creative to celebrate their high school graduation. Drive-through ceremonies, face masks and cap decorations marked the occasion in West Virginia and Missouri in May, 2020.

Schoolchildren return to the Yankus Korchak Elementary School in Jerusalem on May 18, 2020. Most schools reopened to full capacity across Israel after being closed due to coronavirus precautions.

Protesters gather outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on May 14, 2020, to express disapproval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new unity government with Blue and White Party rival Benny Gantz. The swearing in of the new government has been delayed until May 17.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic is spreading across the United States. People are discouraged (even banned in some places) from large gatherings, public spaces are closed, store shelves are empty, with long lines in grocery stores, and travel is limited. Here are some scenes from across America.

The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, a pandemic, reaching around the globe. The virus, which surfaced in December in Wuhan, China, has killed thousands. Streets and tourist attractions are empty, as large gatherings are canceled and people are quarantined. Here's a look at the effects around the world.

Schools around the United States have closed during the coronavirus pandemic, shifting to "distance learning," in which students and teachers meet up online for classes. UPI photographer Kevin Dietsch captures some moments with families in the Washington, D.C., in recent days.

Crowds gathered at the National Mall to see the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Washington, D.C. on May 2, 2020 to salute frontline workers working in the coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters assembled May 1, 2020 at the California state Capitol to rally against an extension of restrictions aimed at containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Similar sentiments were displayed in the streets of New York City and Ohio, while demonstrators in Washington, D.C., turned out in support of safety measures for front-line workers at essential businesses.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in formation over the New York City skyline to honor healthcare workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic on April 28, 2020.