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Explore Black History: Juneteenth

 

Artist's stylised rendering of a woman in profile on yellow, red, green and black.

 

The United States has a new federal holiday. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture presents the history behind the holiday in Juneteenth: Senses of Freedom: Exploring the Tastes, Sounds and Experiences of an African American Celebration.

 

Opal Lee speaks to President Biden after he signs Juneteenth as a holiday

Opal Lee Fought To Make Juneteenth A Federal Holiday. Her Fight Isn’t Over.

Opal Lee was influential in getting Juneteenth made a federal holiday in 2021. Lee, now known as “the grandmother of Juneteenth” — or more affectionately as “Ms. Opal” — wanted a more permanent institution that would commemorate the holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.

 

 

 

Cartoon rendering of three men in chains

In "I Am a Slave" The Roots meet Schoolhouse Rock. The Roots reenact the history of the end of the slavery in "I Am Slave," from the black-ish Season 4 Premiere.

 

Black background with white text reading Juneteenth Jamboree

Juneteenth Jamboree: From a Free Place to Displace: A PBS video presenting of the history and significance of Juneteenth.

 

In recent years, Juneteenth has grown in popularity and importance for Black Americans and the country as a whole. Lonely Planet shows us Juneteenth Celebrations Around the USA.

 

Collage of Black traditional cookbooks

Discover the traditional foods of Juneteenth on the audio recording, A Taste of Freedom, presented by NPR's Code Switch.