How to Celebrate Juneteenth

"Juneteenth" or June 19th, is the day that the slaves of Galveston, Texas learned in 1865 that they had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln almost two years earlier in 1863. Juneteenth is celebrated in African-American communities as a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy one another and the freedoms of our nation.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Learn about Juneteenth. The celebration can be as small as a family dinner or as large as a block party. It signifies the time when African-American families were reunited.

2. Find a local celebration. The popularity of Juneteenth has spread far beyond its Texas origins, where it is now an officially recognized state holiday. These days Juneteenth is celebrated in many places as a public event that is open to the entire community.

3. Celebrate tradition. Southern treats like Red Velvet cake and strawberry soda water are holiday favorites to be sure you have on the menu. And a barbecue is always the center of the festivities.

4. Spread the word. Juneteenth is acknowledged by official proclamation in many cities and towns across the country. If your town doesn't do it yet, ask for it. Most elected representatives are happy to find an occasion that brings goodwill.

Tips & Warnings

• In some cities, Juneteenth is a community event that raises funds for worthy causes.
• Juneteenth can be a good classroom activity at your child's school. It could make learning history a fun experience.

Resources

• Juneteenth information
• Juneteenth.com has more information.
• Juneteenth recipes at B Smith

[Juneteenth]

on 10/13/2008 reaching far beyond the establishment of Juneteenth as a state holiday in the place were it all began, in Texas, first celebrated in 1980.

Together we will see Juneteenth become a National Holiday in America!

“DOC”
Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D.
Chairman
National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign
National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC)
www.Juneteenth.us
www.19thofJune.com
www.njclc.com
www.JuneteenthJazz.com

[Juneteenth]

on 10/13/2008 Juneteenth is America’s 2nd Independence Day celebration. Americans of African descent were trapped in the tyranny of enslavement on the country's first "4th of July", 1776, Independence Day. We honor our ancestors, Americans of African descent, who heard the news of freedom and celebrated with great joy and jubilation, on the "19th of June", Juneteenth, 1865.

It took over 88 years for the news of freedom to be announced in Southwest Texas, over two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln.

The National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign has worked diligently for several years to establish legislation in 29 states to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday or state holiday observance, the District of Columbia, as well as the Congress of the United States. This has been a great accomplishment for the "Modern Juneteenth Movement" in America, rea