Celebrating Juneteenth: Essential Resources for Educators
06/18/2024
Juneteenth, officially recognized as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day, marks a pivotal moment in American history. On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans in the United States were informed of their freedom, an event that took place two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Celebrated on June 19, this day was declared a federal holiday in 2021.
Although the observance of Juneteenth occurs while most K-12 schools are on summer break, it presents an invaluable opportunity to explore the themes of freedom, justice and resilience. To support educators in integrating this historical event into their curriculums, we have compiled a list of resources that can be used not only during the summer but throughout the academic year.
Resources for Teaching Juneteenth:
NEA | Teaching Juneteenth and the Meaning of Freedom
NEA | Books to Celebrate Juneteenth
Zinned Project | Juneteenth: Teaching Outside the Textbook
We Are Teachers | 20 Inspiring Juneteenth Activities to Celebrate Juneteenth
PBS | Lesson Plan: History of Juneteenth
We encourage all educators to utilize these resources in their teaching plans and share their experiences with us on social media. How do you plan to incorporate Juneteenth into your lessons? Join the conversation by tagging us and using the hashtag #TeachJuneteenth.