JUNETEENTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Resource Toolkit contains lesson plans, videos, exhibits, and articles to be used at American Spaces to recognize Juneteenth’s role in U.S. history.
VIEWING AND READING
“Miss Juneteenth”
Kanopy Film: 2020, 99 minutes
A single mom prepares her rebellious daughter for the “Miss Juneteenth” Beauty Pageant
- Juneteenth: A day to celebrate Black communities’ strength – ShareAmerica
- What was America’s Great
- Migration? – ShareAmerica
- The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
- 2022 Juneteenth Public Programs – Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Food To Celebrate Freedom: Tea Cakes for Juneteenth! – NPR
A NEW FEDERAL HOLIDAY
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill that officially made June 19th a federal holiday. Commonly called Juneteenth, this marks the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom in 1865, two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Today it is a nation-wide holiday commemorating the freedom, progress, and culture of Black Americans.
“Today, we recommit to moving toward racial justice and equity at home and abroad. We call upon the international community to join the United States in honoring the contributions of people of African descent around the world and echo our promise that, despite the most painful parts of our history, we can and will change.”
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE
RESOURCES
Audio
- “The History and Meaning of Juneteenth” Podcast – The New York Times Daily News
- “Understanding Juneteenth” Podcast – WXPN Kids Corner with the African American Museum in Philadelphia
- “Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories” – Library of Congress Collection
Teaching Guides
- Celebrate Juneteenth – Teach for America
- Teaching Juneteenth – Learning for Justice
- Juneteenth a Celebration of Resilience – National Museum of African- American History and Culture
American Spaces Collections (American Spaces Collections includes a selection of products, including books, games, posters, kits, etc, to be used for programs.)
Additional Resources
- Photos: Americans Celebrate Juneteenth After It Becomes A National Holiday – NPR
- In Commemoration of Juneteenth – United States Department of State
- A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2021 – The White House
VIDEOS ON JUNETEENTH
- What is Juneteenth, and why is it so important? – The Root (Duration: 3.5 min)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Have you heard of Juneteenth before?
- What is the significance of Juneteenth?
- What are some ways people honor and celebrate Juneteenth?
- How did Juneteenth become a national, not just regional, celebration?
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated May 2024
