About This Lesson
Juneteenth, a blending of the words June and nineteenth, is an annual celebration on June 19th commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is currently recognized by more than 47 states as a state holiday or observance, with propositions to make it a federal holiday. How can we acknowledge, celebrate, and teach about the significance of Juneteenth?
In this conversation with three experts, we explore the importance of this holiday, how and why it's celebrated across the country, as well as relevant books, teaching strategies, and more. Our panelists are Newbery and Caldecott Honor-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford (Juneteenth Jamboree), alongside expert educators Dr. Amanda Vickery, Assistant Professor of Social Studies at University of North Texas, and Dawnavyn James, Missouri-based Early Childhood and Elementary Educator.