On June 19, 1865 two years after the Emancipation Proclamation Galveston, Texas became the last place in the country to learn the slaves were free. Today, Juneteenth is a joyful occasion with parades, speeches, music, and more! This engaging book teaches the fascinating origins and traditions of Juneteenth, honoring the freedom of African Americans.
Rachel A. Koestler-Grack has worked as an editor and writer of nonfiction books since 1999. She has written numerous biographies on a variety of historical and contemporary figures. She lives in the German community of New Ulm, Minnesota.
Read Aloud Tips
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Introduce the book by having students share their past knowledge about Juneteenth.
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Have students pick which activity they are most interested in.
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Save time at the end of these activities to debrief and get reactions to the content.