June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth Celebration is today!

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HOW TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH STEP-BY-STEP

•  Watch Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
•  Display the Juneteenth flag.
•  Watch the documentary, 13th.
•  Visit The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
•  Make delicious Juneteenth food and host a gathering.
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FEATURED ITEM FOR JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that slavery had been abolished, allowing the news to finally reach the enslaved people there. While this proclamation had actually been made two years prior, it was met with resistance in some areas. Juneteenth commemorates not only the end of slavery in Texas but the end of slavery in the whole of the United States. It is a time for reflection on the historic struggle for liberation and a reminder to continue fighting for justice and equality for all. Despite its significance, it was only recently recognized as a federal holiday, making it all the more important to educate ourselves on its relevance in American culture.

HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

The significance of June 19th has long been recognized in Black communities, but it took decades of advocacy and persistent efforts from activists and politicians to make it a national holiday. In 1980, Texas became the first state to officially recognize Juneteenth as a holiday. It wasn’t until June 17th, 2021, that President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. This historic moment showcases the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States and honors the resilience of the Black community in their fight for freedom and liberation.

100 HEARTFELT WAYS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH – JUNETEENTH FOODS AND ACTIVITIES

1. Community Picnic: Gather with friends and family for a picnic in the park, enjoying delicious food and good company.
2. Juneteenth Parade: Participate in or watch a lively Juneteenth parade featuring music, floats, and cultural performances.
3. Historical Tours: Explore local museums, landmarks, or historical sites that highlight African American history and heritage.
4. Freedom Run/Walk: Join a community run or walk event to commemorate freedom and promote health and wellness.
5. Outdoor Concert: Attend an outdoor concert or music festival featuring live performances of jazz, blues, gospel, or other African American musical genres.
6. Juneteenth BBQ Cook-Off: Compete or judge in a barbecue cook-off celebrating Juneteenth with delicious grilled favorites.
7. Family Reunion: Plan a family reunion or gathering to reconnect with relatives and celebrate your heritage together.
8. Art and Craft Fair: Browse or showcase artwork, crafts, and handmade goods created by local artists and artisans.
9. Cultural Workshops: Attend workshops or seminars focused on African American culture, history, and traditions.
10. Film Screening: Organize or attend a screening of films or documentaries exploring African American stories and experiences.
11. Freedom March: Participate in a peaceful march or demonstration advocating for social justice and equality.
12. Community Potluck: Host or attend a community potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share and enjoy.
13. Storytelling Circle: Gather around for storytelling sessions where elders share stories and wisdom passed down through generations.
14. Juneteenth Art Exhibition: Visit an art gallery showcasing works by African American artists or create your own artwork inspired by freedom and empowerment.
15. Youth Talent Show: Showcase the talents of young performers in singing, dancing, poetry, or other artistic expressions.
16. Juneteenth Pageant: Attend or participate in a pageant celebrating African American beauty, talent, and culture.
17. Freedom Day Brunch: Host or attend a special brunch featuring traditional African American dishes and lively conversation.
18. Community Service Projects: Volunteer for community service projects focused on improving local neighborhoods and uplifting underserved communities.
19. Juneteenth Dance Party: Join a dance party or street festival celebrating freedom and unity through music and dance.
20. Cultural Cuisine Cooking Class: Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional African American dishes and desserts.
21. Juneteenth Poetry Slam: Attend a poetry slam event featuring spoken word performances that explore themes of freedom and resilience.
22. African Drum Circle: Join or organize a drum circle where participants come together to drum and celebrate African heritage.
23. Freedom Art Mural: Collaborate on creating a community art mural that depicts themes of liberation and unity.
24. Juneteenth Book Club: Start or join a book club focusing on literature written by African American authors or exploring African American history and culture.
25. Liberation Yoga and Meditation: Participate in a yoga and meditation session focused on themes of freedom, mindfulness, and inner peace.
26. Barbecue Ribs: Juicy, tender ribs slathered in a flavorful barbecue sauce.
27. Collard Greens: Slow-cooked greens seasoned with smoked meat for a rich flavor.
28. Red Velvet Cake: Moist and velvety cake with a rich cream cheese frosting.
29. Fried Catfish: Crispy, golden-brown catfish fillets seasoned to perfection.
30. Cornbread: Buttery and slightly sweet cornbread, a Southern staple.
31. Sweet Potato Pie: Creamy sweet potato filling in a flaky, buttery crust.
32. Watermelon Salad: Refreshing salad featuring juicy watermelon, feta cheese, and mint.
33. Jambalaya: Spicy Creole rice dish with sausage, chicken, and shrimp.
34. Black-Eyed Peas: Tender black-eyed peas simmered with onions, garlic, and spices.
35. Peach Cobbler: Warm, comforting dessert with sweet peaches and a buttery crust.
36. Honey Butter Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits slathered with sweet honey butter.
37. Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy and cheesy baked macaroni with a golden crust.
38. Fried Chicken: Crispy, juicy fried chicken seasoned with herbs and spices.
39. Hush Puppies: Crispy, deep-fried cornmeal batter balls, perfect for snacking.
40. Okra Gumbo: Hearty stew featuring okra, tomatoes, and sausage in a flavorful broth.
41. Coconut Cake: Moist coconut cake layered with creamy coconut frosting.
42. Sweet Tea: Refreshing iced tea infused with sugar and served over ice.
43. Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Tender pulled pork piled high on a soft bun with barbecue sauce.
44. Potato Salad: Creamy potato salad with tangy mustard and crunchy celery.
45. Candied Yams: Sweet potatoes baked with butter, brown sugar, and warm spices.
46. Shrimp and Grits: Creamy grits topped with plump, seasoned shrimp.
47. Baked Beans: Slow-cooked beans in a savory, smoky sauce with bacon.
48. Southern Fried Okra: Crispy okra slices coated in seasoned cornmeal and fried to perfection.
49. Pecan Pie: Rich and gooey pecan filling in a flaky, buttery crust.
50. Fried Green Tomatoes: Tangy green tomatoes coated in cornmeal and fried until crispy.
51.  Juneteenth T-Shirt: Customized t-shirt with Juneteenth-themed designs and slogans.
52. Freedom Quilt: Patchwork quilt featuring symbols and colors representing freedom and unity.
53. Juneteenth Banner: Handmade banner with vibrant colors and empowering messages for Juneteenth celebrations.
54. Unity Bracelets: Beaded bracelets in red, black, and green colors symbolizing unity and liberation.
55. Juneteenth Flag: DIY Juneteenth flag made from fabric and adorned with meaningful symbols.
56. Emancipation Day Cards: Handcrafted cards with uplifting messages to commemorate Emancipation Day.
57. Juneteenth Garland: Festive garland made from colored paper or fabric to decorate Juneteenth gatherings.
58. Liberation Crown: Decorative crown adorned with feathers, beads, and symbols of freedom.
59. Juneteenth Lanterns: Paper lanterns in red, black, and green hues to illuminate Juneteenth festivities.
60. Freedom Fan: Hand-decorated handheld fan featuring Juneteenth motifs and colors.
61. Juneteenth Bunting: Fabric bunting in red, black, and green colors to adorn indoor or outdoor spaces.
62. Liberty Collage: Collage artwork featuring images and words symbolizing liberty and justice for all.
63. Freedom Earrings: Handmade earrings crafted with beads or charms representing Juneteenth themes.
64. Unity Wreath: Wreath adorned with ribbons, flowers, and symbols of unity for Juneteenth celebrations.
65. Juneteenth Mural: Community mural project depicting historical events and celebrating African American culture.
66. Emancipation Proclamation Scrolls: Handwritten scrolls featuring excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation.
67. Sankofa Art: Artwork incorporating the Sankofa symbol, representing learning from the past for a better future.
68. Juneteenth Pinwheel: Colorful pinwheel featuring Juneteenth colors to symbolize freedom and progress.
69. Freedom Bracelets: Braided bracelets with beads or charms representing freedom and empowerment.
70. Liberty Candle Holders: Decorative candle holders painted or decorated with Juneteenth motifs.
71. Juneteenth Tote Bags: Customized tote bags featuring Juneteenth designs and empowering messages.
72. Freedom Collage: Mixed media collage celebrating freedom and African American heritage.
73. Unity Friendship Bracelets: Braided bracelets made with red, black, and green threads symbolizing unity and solidarity.
74. Juneteenth Memory Book: Scrapbook or memory book documenting Juneteenth celebrations and reflections.
75. Freedom Mask: Hand-decorated face mask featuring Juneteenth symbols and colors for safety and style during celebrations.
76.  Selma: A powerful historical drama depicting the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery led by Martin Luther King Jr.
77. The Color Purple: A moving adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, exploring the lives of African American women in the early 20th century.
78. 12 Years a Slave: A gripping film based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
79. Harriet: A biographical film about Harriet Tubman, showcasing her incredible journey to freedom and her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
80. Glory: A stirring war drama that tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first all-black units in the Civil War.
81. Hidden Figures: An inspiring film that celebrates the untold story of African American women mathematicians who played a vital role in NASA during the Space Race.
82. Malcolm X: A biographical drama chronicling the life of civil rights leader Malcolm X, from his early days to his transformation as an influential figure.
83. Fences: An adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, exploring themes of race, family, and the African American experience in the 1950s.
84. Do the Right Thing: Spike Lee’s iconic film set on a scorching summer day in Brooklyn, exploring racial tensions and the complexities of urban life.
85. The Butler: A historical drama inspired by the life of Eugene Allen, a White House butler who served eight U.S. presidents over three decades.
86. Get Out: A chilling horror film that cleverly addresses themes of racism and social issues in contemporary America.
87. Roots: A groundbreaking miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, tracing the journey of one African man’s family from enslavement to freedom.
88. The Help: A poignant drama set in 1960s Mississippi, focusing on the lives of African American maids and their relationships with the white families they work for.
89. Moonlight: An Oscar-winning coming-of-age film that follows a young African American man as he navigates his identity and sexuality in a rough Miami neighborhood.
90. Queen & Slim: A modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story about a Black couple on the run after a fateful encounter with a police officer.
91. The Great Debaters: A historical drama inspired by the true story of the Wiley College debate team, led by professor Melvin B. Tolson, in the 1930s.
92. Just Mercy: A legal drama based on the memoir of Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who fought for justice and equality, particularly in death penalty cases.
93. The Birth of a Nation: Nate Parker’s film about the Nat Turner slave rebellion, highlighting the struggle for freedom and resistance against oppression.
94. Miss Juneteenth: A heartfelt drama that follows a former beauty queen and her daughter as they navigate life in a small Texas town during the annual Juneteenth celebration.
95. The Hate U Give: A timely adaptation of the bestselling novel, exploring themes of police brutality, racial injustice, and activism through the eyes of a young African American girl.
96. Dear White People: A satirical comedy-drama that follows a group of Black students at a predominantly white Ivy League college as they navigate racial tensions and identity politics.
97. Remember the Titans: An uplifting sports drama based on the true story of a high school football team’s integration and journey to unity.
98. The Last Black Man in San Francisco: A visually stunning film that explores themes of gentrification, friendship, and the African American experience in contemporary San Francisco.
99. Selma, Lord, Selma: A Disney film based on the true story of Sheyann Webb, a young girl who becomes involved in the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama.
100. Daughters of the Dust: A visually mesmerizing film that follows a Gullah family in the early 1900s as they prepare to leave their ancestral home for the mainland.

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Do you have any ideas about how to have an amazing Juneteenth Celebration?  Please share them!