Opal Lee

β€˜Grandmother of Juneteenth' Opal Lee celebrates her 97th birthday

People rallied to celebrate her birthday on a livestream link on Friday

NBC Universal, Inc.

Opal Lee turns 97 on Saturday.

The National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth livestreamed her early birthday celebration on Friday.

It also gave viewers a first look at the new museum set to open in 2025.

The museum is a legacy project for Lee, who earned the nickname 'Grandmother of Juneteenth' for pioneering the decades-long movement to make the day a federal holiday.

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