Credit: Crafting A Fun Life
According to History.com “Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. ”
For those who are just learning the depths of what Juneteenth means for such a large part of our country, we’ve gathered up some resources and local events to help educate and celebrate. Race and specifically our country’s history of racial injustice can be a really hard conversation to start with our children. It’s okay to be unsure of where to begin. But the important thing is that we begin. The below article gives some great verbiage on how to start the conversation, how deep to dive with different age ranges, and touches on the question “Do we approach this differently with children of different races?” Although it is full of such wonderful information, our favorite bit is acknowledging that sometimes children have questions they don’t know how to ask – it’s best to be proactive.
Resources
- How to Talk to Children about Juneteenth
- Juneteenth Reading List from Anne Arunde County Public Library (our favorite is Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper)
Activities for Littles
- DIY Confetti Popper for Juneteenth
- Easy Craft Stick Flag
- Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration Scavenger Hunt
Local Events
Friday, June 18th
VIP Reception and Awards Ceremony 6pm
Saturday, June 19th
Juneteenth Parade 12pm-2pm
Juneteenth Stories of Freedom presented by The Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture and the Griot’s Circle of Maryland (Virtual Event) 1pm
Juneteenth Music Festival 2pm-9pm
