Juneteenth: A Day to Remember Freedom
Every year on June 19, people across the United States celebrate a special holiday called Juneteenth. The name combines the words "June" and "nineteenth." This day helps us remember a big step toward freedom in American history.
Long ago, many Black people in our country were enslaved. This meant they were forced to work without pay and were not allowed to make their own choices. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued an order called the Emancipation Proclamation. It said enslaved people in areas fighting against the United States were free. But words on paper were not enough. In Texas, enslavers kept people in slavery. Some hid the news. There were not enough Union soldiers there to make them obey the order.
On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in the city of Galveston, Texas. A leader named General Gordon Granger issued a new order. It announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free. The soldiers were there to enforce that freedom. For many people, this brought hope and joy.
Freedom was still difficult to claim, and some enslavers resisted. The announcement in Texas did not end slavery everywhere in the United States. Later in 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery nationwide.
- enslaved:
- Forced to work without pay and not allowed to make your own choices.
- enslavers:
- People who held other human beings in slavery.
- enforce:
- To make sure people follow a rule or law.
- abolished:
- Ended or stopped something completely by law.
- fairness:
- Treating everyone in a way that is right, equal, and just.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What two words are combined to make the name Juneteenth?
- 2On what date is Juneteenth celebrated every year?
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About this explanatory article passage for 2nd Grade
“Juneteenth: A Day to Remember Freedom” is a explanatory article reading passage about Juneteenth, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (253 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.