Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, is celebrated every year on June 19th.
After President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which had became official January 1, 1863 and called for the immediate liberation of all enslaved people, it took nearly two and a half years for the news to finally reach Texas. On June 19, 1865 the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas and finally delivered the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. However, even following the announcement, or what is known as Order Number 3, there was still confusion and peril for many enslaved people.
Set against this uncertainty and violence, the newly “freed” black men and women of Texas and the Freedmen’s Bureau fought for what is now known as Juneteenth. Through grassroots efforts, they transformed June 19th from a day of unheeded military orders into Juneteenth, and the first annual celebration began one year later in 1866. In 2020, Juneteenth was officially designated as a state holiday in New York and in 2021 President Biden signed a law making Juneteenth the first new federal holiday in decades.
Check out the videos, activities and curated list of local events below to learn about the history and impact of Juneteenth and to celebrate it with your family today!
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Learn About Juneteenth
How Juneteenth (and Other Celebrations) Can Be Meaningful For Your Family
Grades PreK-3
What does it mean for us to celebrate Juneteenth? By looking more closely at all the cultural rituals and traditions that families honor we can find deeper purpose in each.
5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Your Family
Grades PreK-3
Now that Juneteenth is officially a federal holiday in the United States, it’s the perfect time to observe Juneteenth as a family. Here are five ways to celebrate Juneteenth together.
14 Books for Celebrating Juneteenth
Grades K-5
For families with young children, books can be a great start for important conversations about understanding the history and traditions of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth Jamboree History
Grades 9-12
From the long-running Austin PBS annual program Juneteenth Jamboree, this clip features historian Harrison Eppright as he traces a timeline starting with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. It took several months for the news of the end of the Civil War to reach Texas. US Major General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Bay on June 19, 1865 to take control of the state and declare all slaves in Texas free under the Emancipation Proclamation – the first Juneteenth. While no longer slaves, African Americans continued to be denied citizens’ rights for the next 100 years.
The Emancipation Proclamation | Interactive Lesson
Grades 9-12
Assess how the Emancipation Proclamation expanded ideas of freedom and liberty, looking at the antislavery debate that led to the proclamation, the influences on Lincoln’s decision, and the provisions of the document. In this interactive lesson from WGBH, students develop a written argument in response to the question “In what ways did the Emancipation Proclamation expand ideas of freedom and liberty in America?” They gather evidence from videos featuring historian Ben Weber and from primary source documents, images, and artifacts.
Why Are Cookouts So Important For Black Joy? | Trial & Tribulation
Grades 9-12
Local voices of the black community in Minnesota explain the importance and power of moments of Black joy, from family cookouts and church barbecues to community celebrations such as St. Paul’s Rondo Days, to celebrating National Holidays like Juneteenth. What makes community gatherings so necessary for Black joy?
Local Events & Celebrations
Juneteenth with Dom Flemons & the Dylan Triplett Band
Celebrate Juneteenth on June 19th at 7 PM with a night of powerhouse music and deep-rooted American stories at Plattsburgh’s historic Strand Center Theatre. Presented by Plattsburgh Blues & Jazz, this event features two dynamic forces in American roots and soul-blues taking the stage: Dom Flemons and The Dylan Triplett Band.
Juneteenth “Colors of Freedom” Tour in the Adirondacks
June 20th, 5-7 PM, attend receptions for two art exhibits at the SUNY Plattsburgh Art Museum; Reflections: Intimate Portraits of Iconic African Americans and “a process, a discovery”, a celebration of Black artists in SUNY Plattsburgh’s collections. Then on June 21st, 9 AM – 4 PM, join the Colors of Freedom tour for a day full of site-seeing and activities in honor of Juneteenth. Begin at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum with an orientation and opening prayer followed by a bus tour visiting Underground Railroad sites in Keeseville and Peru. Enjoy food, music, entertainment, and a chance to learn more about Juneteenth at the John Brown Farm in Lake Placid to end the tour.
Potsdam Juneteenth Celebration
The sixth annual Potsdam community-wide Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 21st, 3-8 PM, at Ives Park in Potsdam, New York. Open to the public, this free cultural event will feature historically relevant speakers, live music, children’s activities, and a Black Is Beautiful Fashion Show.