Note: The Recipe for Conversation graphic in this post has been updated since our original publication, reflecting the declaration of Juneteenth as a federal holiday and the shifting public attitudes following that change.

Juneteenth is sometimes called America’s “second Independence Day.” Juneteenth as a holiday commemorates June 19, 1865 — the day when enslaved people in Texas were finally freed by Union forces, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture says, “the legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of deep hope and urgent organizing in uncertain times.” Their website has a wealth of resources on Juneteenth, including a virtual museum tour, which we encourage families to experience in order to gain important historical perspective on this day.

The Family Dinner Project has also created a brief resource to help families talk about Juneteenth and its significance. We invite you to use these conversation starters to begin, or continue, your family’s learning about this important day in American history.