This post was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated.
Juneteenth honors the day news arrived in Galveston, Texas (June 19, 1865), that the Emancipation Proclamation had been passed two years prior. The Civil War had ended in April of 1865 -- two months before enslaved people in Texas were made aware.
John Yang spoke with two organizers about Juneteenth’s meaning and the different ways people are still figuring out how best to mark the holiday.
For a transcript of the story, click here.
Warm up questions:
- What is Juneteenth?
- When is Juneteenth celebrated?
- Who celebrates Juneteenth?
- Where is Juneteenth celebrated?
- Why did Juneteenth become a national holiday?
Focus questions:
- How might your class commemorate Juneteenth?
- Does your community or nearby communities commemorate Juneteenth? Search your town/city's website and nearby municipalities to find out.
- In 2021, Juneteenth became the country's 12th national holiday through a 415-14 vote in the House of Representatives. Why do you think 14 lawmakers voted against the measure? How could you find out?
Media literacy: What additional questions would you ask the guests in this segment?
What students can do:
You may want to check out more of the history of Juneteenth with this lesson.
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