Summer Reading - A New Historical Theme Each Week!
US HISTORY
The Week of June 15-21, 2025
Juneteenth Week
Article about Galveston Juneteenth mural: https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/arts-culture-news/2021/06/17/400819/the-story-behind-galvestons-new-juneteenth-mural/
National Museum of African American History and Culture - Smithsonian
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth Reading List from the National Museum of African American History and Culture - Smithsonian
https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/museum-store/juneteenth-reading-list
(Copy and Paste the links into your search bar in order to see the information.)
Go to the website to see more information and books.
The Emancipation Proclamation video: https://voicesofthecivilrightsmovement.com/Video-Collection/the-emancipation-proclamation
Documentary on Juneteenth: Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom
https://www.pbs.org/show/juneteenth-faith-freedom/
Baton Rouge at the Capitol Park Museum.
Read a book about Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation.
Read Lowcountry Dreaming: a book written and illustrated by Amiri Farris!
Artwork by Amiri Farris
Art on the Air, Interview with Amiri Farris: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doYshYgQCWY
Amiri Farris, Teacher and Artist: https://amirifarris.com/teaching-artist-1
Amiri Geuka Farris Is from West Palm Beach Florida and received his Masters of fine art in from the Savannah College of Art and Design in fine arts. His work has been exhibited in major venues and Museums nationally and internationally; Amiri's contemporary paintings are full of exuberant color intimate personal experiences. His deep engaging layers explode in an energetic movement. He has won many awards for his poetry including "Who's Who in Contemporary American Poetry" Farris also works As a Designer and Illustrator for which he has gained a variety of local and national clients. The work he has created for this Beautiful book lowcountry dreaming reflects the richness, character, and livelihoods, of the Low country African-American experience.
Poetry by Amiri Farris:
https://www.scartshub.com/farris-offers-juneteenth-poster-to-all/
National Museum of African American History and Culture - Smithsonian Institute: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth
National Museum of African American History and Culture
The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
From the National World War II Museum:
Celebrating Juneteenth
Honoring African American Contributions to Allied Victory
More than one million African American men and women served in the segregated Armed Forces during the war, and tens of thousands more worked in the defense industry on the Home Front. These men and women pursued a Double Victory as they fought fascism abroad and battled racism at home, a fight that would lay the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement in the years after the war’s conclusion.
The Museum's newest interactive experience, Voices from the Front, allows museumgoers to engage with veterans, Home Front workers, and other witnesses to the war—including Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy of the decorated Tuskegee Airmen; Romay Davis, who served in the iconic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion; and Ambassador Theodore R. “Ted” Britton, one of the trailblazing Montford Point Marines.
Why Is the Juneteenth Flag Blue and Red?
The colors of the flag were deliberately chosen by Haith and the collaborators to showcase that African Americans were always American even throughout enslavement. The Black community is one with America. The colors chosen further the notion that America must ensure that all citizens have access to 'liberty and justice for all'.
What Do the Star and Arc Represent in the Juneteenth Flag?
The most noticeable feature of the flag is its star and arc. The star is another callback to the United States flag—representing that Black people are free in all 50th states. The Emancipation Proclamation was first read and acknowledged in Galveston, Texas. Texas, also known as the Lone Star State played a significant role in the addition of the star. Although Texas was the state that the documentation was read in, it represents freedom across the nation. Alongside the star, the outlined burst and arc represent the new horizon and new opportunities that are to come for Black people.
https://parade.com/1219444/alliyahlogan/juneteenth-flag-meaning/