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Listen&Learn: Juneteenth

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
Learn about the day 250,000 enslaved people became free.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • slavery: the practice of owning other people and forcing them to work
  • commemorate: to celebrate something
  • abolition: the act of ending something
  • freedom: the ability to live without being enslaved
  • senate: a group of people who can make laws for a country

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

June 19th, or Juneteenth for short, is a that many Black Americans celebrate every year. The day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. U.S. President Lincoln first the abolition of slavery on January 1st, 1863. However, the did not arrive in Texas until June 19th, 1865 – almost two and a half years later. That day, around 250,000 enslaved people gained their freedom. Black people in Texas began to celebrate June 19th every year after that. Over the years, people across the joined in the celebrations. In 2021, the United States Senate voted to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20406″]

Discussion/essay questions

  1. What is the significance of making Juneteenth a national holiday?

Transcript

June 19th, or Juneteenth for short, is a holiday that many Black Americans celebrate every year. The day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. U.S. President Lincoln first announced the abolition of slavery on January 1st, 1863. However, the news did not arrive in Texas until June 19th, 1865 – almost two and a half years later. That day, around 250,000 enslaved people gained their freedom. Freed Black people in Texas began to celebrate June 19th every year after that. Over the years, people across the country joined in the celebrations. In 2021, the United States Senate voted to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
© EnglishClub.com

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