Celebrating and Explaining Juneteenth to Kids

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, identity, and resilience. Observed on June 19 each year, Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when over 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally told they were free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, it is a national holiday that honors the end of slavery and celebrates Black culture and progress. While the subject matter may be complex, Juneteenth for kids can be an opportunity to talk about fairness, history, and the importance of freedom in a way that inspires empathy and understanding.

The History Behind the Holiday

To understand why Juneteenth is so important, it helps to know what came before. In the early 1860s, the country was split—Southern states wanted to leave the United States to protect slavery, while Northern states fought to stop slavery from expanding. This led to the Civil War.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in the Confederate states were free. But not everyone heard the news. Many enslavers kept it hidden, and people remained in bondage for years afterward.

The Civil War ended in April 1865, but it wasn’t until June 19 of that year that Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, and shared the long-overdue news: slavery had officially ended. That moment sparked spontaneous celebrations—and Juneteenth was born.

Over time, as Black families from Texas moved across the country, they brought Juneteenth with them. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement helped raise awareness of the holiday, and in 1980, Texas made it a state holiday. More recently, national recognition followed the global calls for racial justice in 2020. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth was officially declared a federal holiday.

How to Explain Juneteenth to Children

When talking about Juneteenth with kids, keep the language simple and age-appropriate. You might say: “Juneteenth is the day we remember when freedom was shared with everyone in our country.” Books like Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper or short videos can bring the story to life for younger audiences.

Hands-on learning is also helpful. Kids can make red-themed treats (red is a color often used to symbolize strength and sacrifice), color Juneteenth flags, or attend community celebrations that honor the day through music, dancing, and storytelling.

Why Juneteenth Matters in Multicultural Foster Homes

For children in foster care (especially those placed with families of different backgrounds) celebrating Juneteenth is a meaningful way to feel seen and valued. It helps foster a sense of identity and belonging. Recognizing holidays like Juneteenth says, “Your culture matters here. Your history is important. You are celebrated.”

These moments of cultural acknowledgment can deepen bonds within diverse foster families and encourage conversations that build empathy and understanding. And they help all children, regardless of background, grow up appreciating freedom and justice for everyone.

Celebrating Together

You don’t need to be an expert to start honoring Juneteenth with your kids. What matters most is creating space for learning and connection. Whether it’s reading a story at bedtime, talking about fairness at dinner, or joining a community parade, each moment counts.

Juneteenth is not just a look back, it’s a step forward. By sharing its meaning with children, we’re helping raise a generation that values freedom, respects different life experiences, and believes in building a more inclusive world.