Resources to understand and commemorate Juneteenth
- Juneteenth is this Sunday, June 19, 2022. Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates African American freedom, culture, and achievements.
- On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger brought news of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War to Galveston, Texas. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, the news traveled so slowly that many people in Texas did not hear of the Proclamation until more than two years later. Juneteenth has now been celebrated for more than 150 years.
- There are many ways that we can observe this important day in American history.
A selection of resources is available below:
Resources from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
- History of Juneteenth
- Resources to Help Children Understand and Celebrate Juneteenth
- Video: Discussion with Kelly Elaine Navies, Oral Historian
- Video: A rendition of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
- Reading List
- Recipe for Juneteenth Brisket
Resources from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
- Video: A Conversation with Annette Gordon-Reed moderated by Edward Ayers about her book On Juneteenth
- Primary Sources
- Historical Documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection
- Lesson Plans