Every year on June 19, our nation commemorates the day when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, almost three years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the proclamation. Slaveholders in Texas had kept the information to themselves, extending the period of violent exploitation of enslaved African Americans. The following year, in 1866, a celebration was held in Texas, the first Juneteenth observance to recognize freedom from slavery in the U.S.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday is 2021 after the U.S. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act.
This year, PBS NC honors and celebrates Juneteenth with documentaries and specials that explore the history of slavery, emancipation, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom. And to share the spirit of Juneteenth with younger generations, we have a new episode of Molly of Denali coming to Rootle PBS KIDS, along with other resources you can explore with your family.
When Trini hears there's never been a Juneteenth celebration in Qyah, she decides to plan one with Molly and Tooey! After realizing Qyah doesn't have the special foods and activities she had in Texas, Trini wonders, will the holiday be the same?
Watch Molly of Denali Monday, 6/17, 7:30 PM on Rootle and streaming now. Watch more episodes on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS App.
Established by Congress, the 14th Amendment promised citizenship in exchange for enlistment, prompting many African American men. They were denied due to Jim Crow laws but still served. The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.
Watch the Local, USA’s “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts” Wednesday, 6/19, 2 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now on the PBS App.
A Black man is troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the misuse of Christianity to justify it. He travels throughout Texas and discovers how the Juneteenth holiday reveals the hope and courage that empowered the formerly enslaved and their descendants to fight for freedom in an often unjust society.
Watch Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom Wednesday, 6/19, 4 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now on the PBS App.
Every aspect of our daily reality, whether it's the words we use, the pop culture we love, the technology that get us through the day, or even the identities we give ourselves, emerge from thousands of intersecting histories. In this special collection, unpack the history and legacy of slavery.
Watch Origin of Everything now on the PBS App and YouTube.
Why were most slaves in America from West Africa?
Scholars examine the cultural exchange that impacted the development of language, food and architecture and recount how the economic and governmental systems created, tested and proven by the West Indies sugar industry forged the prosperity and power of the Carolinas – chief among them the institution of slavery.
Watch Beyond Barbados: The Carolina Connection Thursday, 10 PM on PBS NC. Streaming now on the PBS App.
Reel South honors the history of Black Texans and the new federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the South with short films and stories.
Watch Reel South now on the PBS App and explore the Juneteenth collection.
A Black scientist in Arkansas guides farmers through agricultural challenges.
Explore recipes to feature on your Juneteenth menu and learn about the meaning behind these popular foods.
The origin of Juneteenth and a look at the parallels of Black liberation work around Reconstruction and Black liberation work, today. We will focus on 3 areas of “Fine Print”: Voter Suppression, Mass Incarceration, and Policing with a special highlight on the work of leaders pushing for change in these areas.
Watch the Say It Loud episode “Juneteenth: Freedom and the Fine Print” on the PBS App and YouTube.
Top journalists offer compelling analysis of Juneteenth and related topics, including its evolution into a national holiday, the 1619 Project and more.
Watch PBS News Hour now on the PBS App and explore the Juneteenth collection.
The grandmother of Juneteenth on what the holiday means for Americans
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Every week on Black Issues Forum, thought leaders, changemakers and creators come together to share, illuminate and inspire. In addition to panel discussions and field reports on cutting-edge topics affecting Black communities across the state, the series celebrates stories of resiliency and triumph.
Looking for ways to honor this holiday with your children? Here are five ways to celebrate Juneteenth together as a family.
For families with young children, books can be a great start for important conversations about understanding the history and traditions of Juneteenth.
Across the country, family and friends gather to celebrate and learn more about the history and experience of African Americans before and after slavery.
