Juneteenth
On June 19th, 1865 the last enslaved people in Texas were informed by Union General Gordon Granger that the Civil War was over and that they were finally free. Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday to celebrate Black history, freedom and pride.
Description & History
On June 19th, 1865 the last enslaved people in Texas were informed by Union General Gordon Granger that the Civil War was over and that they were finally free. Juneteenth is also known as “Freedom Day” “Emancipation Day” and “Jubilee.” Juneteenth National Independence Day is a federal holiday to celebrate Black history, freedom and pride.
Professional Learning Resources
The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
A resource from the National Museum of African- American History and Culture, this article is a good place to start for any educator looking to build their own background knowledge about Juneteenth. Primary documents and a digital toolkit are included alo
Teaching Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom
The article provides educators with lesson plans, book lists, videos, and background materials to teach Juneteenth, helping students understand slavery’s legacy and inspiring them to advocate for change.
Juneteenth Curriculum Resources
This article from the United Federation of Teachers offers videos, books, and lesson plans for all grade levels to help educators teach the history and significance of Juneteenth in the classroom.
Teaching About Juneteenth with Children’s Books
Lee & Low’s free webinar “Teaching About Juneteenth with Children’s Books” features author Carole Boston Weatherford and expert educators, plus resources to help schools integrate quality Juneteenth literature into classrooms and libraries.
How Juneteenth (and Other Celebrations) Can Be Meaningful For Your Family
This blog post from PBS Parents written by parents and for parents full of information and tips for talking to children about Juneteenth.
Learner Engagement Resources
Juneteenth
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture offers Juneteenth learning resources with history, videos, and student-friendly explainers.
Juneteenth on PBS Learning Media
PBS Learning Media has classroom-ready videos, discussion guides and primary source materials especially for upper elementary through high school age learners.
“Our Father Taught Us To Love Ourself": Remembering The Man Who Brought Junetee…
“Our Father Taught Us To Love Ourself": Remembering The Man Who Brought Juneteenth To San Diego is a 2:11 video clip celebrating Sidney Cooper, the man who celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a national holiday.
Book Lists
28 Days Later
The Brown Bookshelf - 28 Days Later initiative features children’s and young adult titles curated annually that amplify Black voices. You can see the most recent collection and each year back to 2008.
Juneteenth Reading List
This reading list from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture features curated selections from childhood through adulthood. To get to the children's list, you will need to scroll halfway down the page.
Celebrate Juneteenth!
This reading list from WorldCat’s Read Across America includes titles to titles and learn more about the history and traditions of Juneteenth.
Freedom Day: Celebrating Juneteenth
Reading Rockets Freedom Day: Celebrating Juneteenth provides age-appropriate background information on the holiday as well as a small group of potential titles for children.
