Though all Americans are familiar with the Fourth of July, that’s not the only holiday celebrating freedom in the U.S! On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, which was still under confederate control. The army issued an executive decree freeing more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state – marking Juneteenth as our country’s second independence day.
“But didn’t the Emancipation Proclamation free slaves in 1863?” While this is true, Texas was the state furthest South in the confederacy, leading many there to evade the proclamation, until the events of Juneteenth.
While this day has long been celebrated by the African-American community, particularly in Texas, it is still relatively unknown to most Americans. This year, reflect on the events of Juneteenth and how they relate to current times.
How can we celebrate Juneteenth?
Educational Resources
Take the time to learn about the holiday of Juneteenth, and how it intertwines with U.S history, as well as current events.
- Teaching Juneteenth
- Open Yale Course – African American History: From Emancipation to the Present
- Classroom Resources on Racism and Social Justice
- Free Resources for Teaching Social Justice
- Understanding Equity and Inequity Course
- Talking about Race – For Educators
- Juneteenth – An American History through Maps
Books
- Social Justice Book List by Grade Level
- All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
- Juneteenth for Maizie by Floyd Cooper
- Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Juneteenth by Rachel Koestler-Grack
- Let’s Celebrate Emancipation Day & Juneteenth by Barbara deRubertis
- Juneteenth by Julie Murray
- The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure by Steven Otfinoski
- Traditional African American Arts and Activities by Sonya Kimble-Ellis
Films and Series
- Juneteenth Jamboree
- Miss Juneteenth
- Freedom Calling: Interactive Tour at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
