Juneteenth Day is a joyous occasion to celebrate freedom, African-American culture, and family. It’s also a time to share knowledge about the holiday with friends and family. To help you out, here are 10 flash trivia questions about Juneteenth Day:
1. When is Juneteenth celebrated?
June 19th marks the observance of Juneteenth Day.
2. What does the term “Juneteenth” mean?
The term “Juneteenth” is a combination of the words June and nineteenth, referring to the anniversary of the day in 1865 when news of emancipation from slavery reached Texas.
3. What is Juneteenth Day primarily known for?
Juneteenth Day marks the day that slaves in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.
4. What other names are used to refer to Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is also referred to as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, or Emancipation Day.
5. Who first suggested the idea of Juneteenth?
The first person to suggest the idea of a celebration honoring June 19th was freed slave Reverend Jack Yates in 1866.
6. What two events are commemorated on Juneteenth?
Juneteenth marks both the end of slavery and President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
7. What is the traditional way to celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth celebrations often include picnics, barbeques, rodeos, and recreations of western frontier life.
8. How did Juneteenth become an official holiday in Texas?
In 1980, Texas declared Juneteenth a state holiday. In 1998, it became an official federal holiday.
9. How did Juneteenth travel outside of Texas?
Starting in the 1920s, large numbers of African-Americans migrated from Texas to other parts of the United States, taking their celebration of Juneteenth with them.
10. What are some ways to celebrate Juneteenth today?
Today, Juneteenth is celebrated in a variety of ways, including music, dance, art, food, and educational activities.