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Slideshow: The Unveiling of the Texas African American History Memorial

See images from Saturday's unveiling of the Texas African American History Memorial, which marks the contributions, struggles and triumphs of black men and women in the story of Texas.

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Hundreds of guests gathered on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol on Saturday to mark the unveiling of the Texas African American History Memorial, which depicts more than four centuries of the black experience in the state.

Before the memorial was unveiled, visitors could see its highest point, which depicts a torch and the Emancipation Proclamation.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke to the hundreds of attendees as they celebrated the unveiling of the Texas African American History Memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

Guests cheered as speakers talked about the significance of Saturday's unveiling.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

"Chapters have been missing from the story of Texas. That changes today," Gov. Greg Abbott said at the dedication of the Texas African American History Memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

A man in a buffalo soldiers jacket attended the dedication of the Texas African American History Memorial. Buffalo soldiers were black men who served the U.S. military in several American conflicts between the 1860s and 1950s.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

 Men portraying buffalo soldiers posted the colors at the dedication of the memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

State officials prepared to unveil the Texas African American History Memorial on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

Organizers begin unveiling the Texas African American History Memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

Organizers pull a curtain away, unveiling the Texas African American History Memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

 

A guest snaps a photo of the just-unveiled Texas African American History Memorial.Gabriel C. Pérez for The Texas Tribune

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