Celebrating Juneteenth 2024: Children’s Books and Activities for Families and Educators
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by The Black Excellence Resource Group Network at Waterford
Happy Juneteenth! This American holiday is celebrated annually on June 19th and marks a significant historical moment in Black American heritage. Originating as a Texas tradition in 1866, it became a federal holiday in 2021.
Discover children’s books at your local or school library that explore the significance of Juneteenth. These stories serve as both Windows and Mirrors , giving children a mixture of stories where they can see their own experiences reflected and others that introduce them to new perspectives different from their own.
Read on to find suggestions for activities, for home or classroom, that honor Black American culture and heritage. Whether reading stories about the first Juneteenth or participating in local events, these activities provide meaningful ways for families and educators to deepen young learners’ appreciation of American history.
The History of Juneteenth
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the freedom of Black Americans from enslavement in Texas on June 19, 1865. This was more than two months after the end of the Civil War and two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln first issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
Even after the announcement, it took time for those freedoms to begin to take effect. Black Texans began celebrating Juneteenth the next year in 1866. The celebration grew among Black communities in the United States. Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a holiday in 1979. Today, Juneteenth is observed nationwide, and it became a federal holiday in 2021.