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Unlocking History: Juneteenth

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Presented by the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Use primary sources to unlock a puzzle box in this interactive presentation on the history of Juneteenth.

On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Texas finally received word of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Step into history and explore the journey from that pivotal moment to the federal recognition of Juneteenth through an engaging, hands-on Traveling Trunk experience. Packed with primary sources spanning over 150 years of history, from General Order No. 3 to the legislation declaring Juneteenth a national holiday, this interactive activity challenges participants to work collaboratively in groups, examining documents, images, and artifacts to uncover clues that unlock a series of locks on a lock box. Each clue solved brings the group closer to understanding the long and powerful road to Juneteenth's recognition, connecting the voices and events of the past to the celebrations and conversations of today.

Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. 

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