Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th every year, and we are always up for a great celebration! Juneteenth isn’t just history—it’s a celebration of freedom, resilience, and joy that deserves to be honored, understood, and shared. Here are some great educational Juneteenth post ideas to teach & inspire.
This post gives some great educational Juneteenth post ideas to teach & inspire – designed to give you some great information and ideas to celebrate this great day in June!
When Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is always the same day every year – June 19th – but depending on the day of the week that it falls, you may be able to do different things to celebrate Juneteenth from year to year.
Slowestuff Seasonal Blog
This is a seasonal focused blog, so we love all the amazing things about each season!
This post is focused on how Juneteenth can be celebrated, but we also have an incredible post full of powerful and amazing Juneteenth quotes, so be sure to check that out too. Plus, the blog covers celebrations you can do every season! To be inspired, you can check out more on each seasonal section of the blog – Winter, Spring, Summer. & Fall.
Why Juneteenth Matters for Everyone
Every year on June 19th, people across the United States commemorate Juneteenth, a federal holiday also known as Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, and Jubilee Day. While many recognize it as a national holiday, fewer understand its cultural significance and the history of Juneteenth as a pivotal moment for Black Americans.
For those who have grown up celebrating, Juneteenth is a time for joy, reflection, and cultural pride, honoring the resilience of the Black community.
Our guess, though, is that there are a lot of people out there who don’t know what Juneteenth is, & why it is a day worthy of celebration. For many, this wasn’t part of the curriculum they teach in schools. So, its a great opportunity to learn, engage, and acknowledge the ongoing journey toward racial justice and equality.
Whether you’re African American, white, or from another background, education is key—not just to understanding history but also to fostering empathy and unity. Plus, who doesn’t love a good celebration!
If you’re looking for meaningful Juneteenth post ideas to share on social media, or incorporate into personal learning, here’s everything you need to know.
Disclosure: Affiliate links are included for convenience and ease of reference. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer
Understanding the History of Juneteenth
The history of Juneteenth is an essential story of freedom, delayed justice, and resilience. While many assume that the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, immediately freed all enslaved people, that wasn’t the case.
The Emancipation Proclamation and the Two-and-a-Half-Year Delay
Though the Emancipation Proclamation legally declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate states were free, it wasn’t immediately enforced.
The United States was still in the midst of the Civil War, and many Southern states ignored the order. It wasn’t until federal troops arrived in various locations to enforce the law that enslaved people were actually freed.
In Texas, the news of freedom was delayed the longest. The state, far removed from Union control, continued enslaving Black people for over two and a half years after Lincoln’s proclamation.
Finally, on June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with federal troops and issued General Order No. 3, declaring the freedom of all enslaved people.
The First Juneteenth & How It Spread
For the newly freed individuals in Texas, June 19th became a day of celebration, marking the real end of slavery for many in the South.
The first Juneteenth celebrations included gatherings in Black communities, music, food, and prayer.
As formerly enslaved people moved to other states, they carried the tradition with them, and Juneteenth became an annual celebration in various Black communities across the country.
How Juneteenth Became a National Holiday
For decades, Juneteenth remained a grassroots celebration within Black communities, with little national recognition.
However, the push for national recognition gained momentum, thanks to the efforts of activists like Opal Lee, often called the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”
Her tireless work led to President Biden signing a law in 2021, officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday—giving it the same status as Independence Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Memorial Day.
Why Juneteenth is Still Important Today
While Juneteenth marks the end of slavery, it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to racial equality and social activism.
The fight for civil rights, racial justice, and Black empowerment continues today, making Juneteenth both a historical day and a call to action for future progress.
How People Celebrate Juneteenth
Now that we’ve covered the history, let’s talk about how people celebrate! While Juneteenth has deep historical roots, it’s also a day filled with Black joy, community, and cultural pride.
Traditional Juneteenth Foods & the Significance of the Color Red
You know if you have ever been lucky enough to be invited to a cookout, there is going to be some great food there! Juneteenth celebrations are no different!!
One of the most iconic elements of Juneteenth celebrations is the food—and if you’re going to host or attend a Juneteenth event, you’ll likely see a lot of red foods. But why?
The color red symbolizes the blood, resilience, and sacrifice of enslaved people, as well as a connection to African traditions. That’s why many Juneteenth feasts include:
- Red velvet cake
- Barbecue with red sauces
- Strawberry soda
- Hibiscus tea (a drink tied to African culture)
We love us some soul food, and Juneteenth meals also feature soul food favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and sweet potatoes—dishes that have been passed down through generations of Black culture. These are our absolute favorites. They are SO GOOD!!
Community Gatherings & Local Events
In cities across the United States, Juneteenth is celebrated with parades, festivals, and educational events. Many communities hold marches, concerts, and panel discussions featuring Black leaders, historians, and business owners.
Some of the biggest Juneteenth celebrations take place in:
- Galveston, Texas – The birthplace of Juneteenth, hosting a massive annual event.
- Atlanta, Georgia – Home to one of the largest Juneteenth parades in the country.
- Washington, D.C. – The White House and National Museum of African American History often host commemorations.
Honoring Black History & Legacy
Beyond celebrating with food and festivals, Juneteenth is also a time to educate and reflect on African American history. Some of our favorite ways include:
- Visiting museums or historical landmarks dedicated to Black history.
- Reading books by Black authors or about the civil rights movement.
- Watching films and documentaries that explore Black experiences in America.
- Learning about Black leaders, from Frederick Douglass to modern-day activists.
Book Recommendations
Y’all know we love books, since we have a whole section of the blog dedicated to them, so a few recommendations are in order:
In addition to having one of the greatest book titles ever, The Warmth of Other Suns is an amazingly well written, beautiful telling of the migration of Black Americans from the south.
For the younger reader
If you are on Booktok, definitely check out these creators – @steffyreads, @ajlanereads, and go to this post by @trayreadthat to get a whole list of other creators to follow!
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses & Artists
Juneteenth is also a perfect time to highlight and support Black-owned businesses, Black artists, and Black creators. Many people choose to:
- Shop at Black-owned businesses in their local area or online.
- Purchase art, books, and music created by Black creators.
- Donate to Black-led organizations focused on racial justice and community support.
We also have a whole scrapbooking section of the blog, so we are thrilled to recommend some wonderful people we have met in that community, if you like scrapbooking, junk journaling, or any other type of creative outlet!
Craftyplanner_queen has an Etsy, Patreon and Youtube you can visit. She has incredible planners, journals and stickers for both digital and physical creators.
Another one of our favorite creators is @bekahwithakayy! As she says, she is out here junk journaling for the culture. LOL! Go check her out on all the socials!
Educational Juneteenth Post Ideas to Teach & Inspire
Whether Juneteenth has been a lifelong tradition or this is your first year learning about it, it’s a meaningful day that deserves recognition. It’s a day that acknowledges the past while celebrating progress—and encouraging us all to keep working toward a better future.
So, whether you’re sharing a post, attending a celebration, or simply taking time to reflect, we hope this guide helps you teach, inspire, and uplift.
How are you celebrating Juneteenth this year? Drop a comment below and share your favorite traditions!
If you are looking for more seasonal content, check out the seasonal section of the blog.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Slowestuff newsletter for year-round content! We love to talk about seasonal topics, and keep an ongoing discussion about books and scrapbooking all year long!
We hope this post on educational Juneteenth post ideas to teach & inspire has been helpful!
Let’s be friends on Youtube & TikTok!
Happy Juneteenth!
Slowestuff
Pin This Post So You Can Find it Later!
[…] post is focused on 25 Empowering & Powerful Quotes for Juneteenth. Check out our Juneteenth post ideas to educate and inspire, as well as plenty of other celebrations you can do every season! To be […]