{"id":12122,"date":"2025-06-17T19:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=12122"},"modified":"2025-06-17T18:58:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T22:58:27","slug":"celebrating-juneteenth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2025\/06\/celebrating-juneteenth\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Juneteenth!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Juneteenth, and why is it important? - Karlos K. Hill and Soraya Field Fiorio\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lq8TNKZVEWs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why do we celebrate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.juneteenth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juneteenth<\/a>? On June 19th 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and freed enslaved African Americans\u2014two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic moment marked the beginning of <a href=\"https:\/\/nmaahc.si.edu\/explore\/moments\/juneteenth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juneteenth<\/a>, a holiday long celebrated by African American communities and officially recognized as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/subjects\/npscelebrates\/juneteenth.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">federal holiday<\/a> on June 17, 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bringing Juneteenth to Life in Your Classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gilderlehrman.org\/historical-holidays\/juneteenth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juneteenth<\/a> celebrations in your <a href=\"https:\/\/scoot.education\/blog\/how-to-celebrate-juneteenth-in-the-classroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">classroom<\/a> can be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clickvieweducation.com\/blog\/teaching-ideas\/juneteenth-student-activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fun<\/a>, engaging, and <a href=\"https:\/\/blackece.org\/juneteenth-music\/#:~:text=Outdoor%20Music%20Jam%20and%20Draw,and%20dance%20with%20the%20song.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">deeply meaningful<\/a>! Officially recognized as a holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has a deep\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facinghistory.org\/ideas-week\/reflecting-juneteenth?utm_term=&amp;utm_campaign=DSA&amp;utm_source=adwords&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;hsa_tgt=dsa-2176122291486&amp;hsa_grp=64709717490&amp;hsa_src=g&amp;hsa_net=adwords&amp;hsa_mt=&amp;hsa_ver=3&amp;hsa_ad=344334825553&amp;hsa_acc=4949854077&amp;hsa_kw=&amp;hsa_cam=1635938820&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=1635938820&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADm8moa-BSDPy-wkw6229RLfaKAcK&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw9O_BBhCUARIsAHQMjS7pMm12xnN5L_a9zWaY-1o9Ogk_HmT4w2ezJZvoRYRqNoDsIbXavwoaAjTWEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">history<\/a>, enriched by a wealth of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/item\/today-in-history\/june-19\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> primary sources<\/a>! Whether you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weareteachers.com\/teaching-juneteenth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have just a day to<\/a> dedicate to Juneteenth or plan to integrate it more broadly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uft.org\/teaching\/classroom-resources\/culturally-responsive-teaching-resources\/juneteenth-curriculum-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here are some ways<\/a> to make it impactful at each grade level:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elementary School Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025_JUN_17_Celebrating_Juneteenth_Silva.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025_JUN_17_Celebrating_Juneteenth_Silva-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025_JUN_17_Celebrating_Juneteenth_Silva-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025_JUN_17_Celebrating_Juneteenth_Silva-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025_JUN_17_Celebrating_Juneteenth_Silva.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/CPTGD1D9pCI?si=0Yg5hPdcoarDeQej\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read-aloud sessions<\/a> featuring Juneteenth-themed <a href=\"https:\/\/search.worldcat.org\/lists\/a7309004-c068-4ca3-b6c9-382ab8533398\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">books<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/ideas\/juneteenth-crafts-for-kids\/953164243400\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Art projects<\/a> that reflect the themes of freedom and resilience<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Connect Juneteenth <\/strong>to students\u2019 lives through <a href=\"https:\/\/nmaahc.si.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/nmaahc_kids_-_juneteenth_resource.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">discussion circles<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/nmaahc.si.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/files\/nmaahc_kids_-_juneteenth_resource.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Middle School Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com\/c\/middle-and-high-school\/en\/create-a-flyer-for-a-juneteenth-celebration\/materials.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Creating an informative flyer<\/a> about Juneteenth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore primary sources through an <a href=\"https:\/\/docsteach.org\/activities\/teacher\/juneteenth-general-order\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interactive activity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examine how freedom and citizenship are intertwined\u2014and how both were challenged and defended\u2014through this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.annenbergclassroom.org\/resource\/juneteenth-the-work-and-promise-of-freedom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Annenberg Classroom lesson<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engage students with this <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.edpuzzle.com\/free-resources\/juneteenth-video-lesson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edpuzzle Original video lesson<\/a> on Juneteenth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High School Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Organize a <a href=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/prod-hmhco-vmg-craftcms-public\/blog\/WF2269750g_Lesson_Juneteenth-National-Freedom-Day.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Juneteenth learning fair<\/a> with student-led presentations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Study and discuss <a href=\"https:\/\/danforth.framingham.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Juneteenth-Educator-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller\u2019s artwork<\/a> on African American heritage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/artsandculture.google.com\/story\/the-historical-legacy-of-juneteenth-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture\/_QUh41SUsLCX6w?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Historical Legacy of Juneteenth<\/a>, an interactive exhibit combining text, images, and video<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Explore more Juneteenth Resources with TeachersFirst\u2014a <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/search_action.cfm?grade_low=0&amp;grade_high=12&amp;searchtext=juneteenth&amp;searchtype=all\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">curated collection<\/a> of Juneteenth resources, carefully reviewed by educators to support meaningful classroom instruction. As always, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?s=juneteenth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blog posts<\/a> written by educators, sharing insights, teaching strategies, and creative ideas for celebrating Juneteenth in schools. Juneteenth is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/classroom\/lesson-plans\/2024\/06\/lesson-plan-history-of-juneteenth-and-why-its-set-to-become-a-national-holiday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">holiday rich in history<\/a>, reflection, and learning\u2014offering something for students of all ages. Inspire your students to explore and honor its legacy today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why do we celebrate Juneteenth? On June 19th 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and freed enslaved African Americans\u2014two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic moment marked the beginning of Juneteenth, a holiday long celebrated by African American communities and officially recognized as a federal holiday &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2025\/06\/celebrating-juneteenth\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[76,295,62,54],"class_list":["post-12122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-holidays","tag-juneteenth","tag-primary-sources","tag-resources"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12122"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12122\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12206,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12122\/revisions\/12206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}