Why do we celebrate Juneteenth? On June 19th 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and freed enslaved African Americans—two 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 on June 17, 2021.
Bringing Juneteenth to Life in Your Classroom
Juneteenth celebrations in your classroom can be fun, engaging, and deeply meaningful! Officially recognized as a holiday in 2021, Juneteenth has a deep history, enriched by a wealth of primary sources! Whether you have just a day to dedicate to Juneteenth or plan to integrate it more broadly, here are some ways to make it impactful at each grade level:
Elementary School Activities
- Read-aloud sessions featuring Juneteenth-themed books
- Art projects that reflect the themes of freedom and resilience
- Connect Juneteenth to students’ lives through discussion circles and more
Middle School Activities
- Creating an informative flyer about Juneteenth
- Explore primary sources through an interactive activity
- Examine how freedom and citizenship are intertwined—and how both were challenged and defended—through this Annenberg Classroom lesson.
- Engage students with this Edpuzzle Original video lesson on Juneteenth
High School Activities
- Organize a Juneteenth learning fair with student-led presentations
- Study and discuss Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller’s artwork on African American heritage
- Explore the Historical Legacy of Juneteenth, an interactive exhibit combining text, images, and video
Explore more Juneteenth Resources with TeachersFirst—a curated collection of Juneteenth resources, carefully reviewed by educators to support meaningful classroom instruction. As always, check out our blog posts written by educators, sharing insights, teaching strategies, and creative ideas for celebrating Juneteenth in schools. Juneteenth is a holiday rich in history, reflection, and learning—offering something for students of all ages. Inspire your students to explore and honor its legacy today!