First, some quick history for the moms and dads out there who are unsure what exactly Juneteenth is about.
In 1860 and 1861, several Southern states separated from the United States. This started the American Civil War. The Southern Confederacy wanted to maintain slavery, while the Northern Union wanted to abolish it.
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. His speech declared freedom for enslaved people in the Confederacy.
The Civil War ended more than two years later, in April 1865. The Union won, but there were many enslaved people in the South who had not been told of President Lincoln’s proclamation. On June 19, Union soldiers told crowds in Galveston, Texas, that the state’s 250,000 enslaved people were free. They were among the last to find out.
The day became known as Juneteenth, a contraction of June and 19th. It is sometimes called Emancipation Day, or Freedom Day. Over the years, as Black people from Galveston moved to different cities, the celebration spread. And in the 1960s, the civil rights movement brought a wider awareness of Juneteenth. Two months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., in 1968, Solidarity Day was held on June 19th in Washington, D.C. More than 50,000 people attended.
The video below is made for kids of all ages. Have your children watch this video to help them understand what Juneteenth is and why we celebrate this holiday in America!
CELEBRATION CRAFT: DIY Confetti Poppers for Juneteenth
Supplies Needed:
- Toilet Paper Roll (empty)
- Paper (We suggest red, green, and white paper, but any colors work!)
- Balloons (We used red, yellow, and green balloons)
- Tape
- Scissors
- Pipe Cleaners, Glitter, Markers, etc. (for decoration)
Directions:
Step 1 – Make a knot at the end of the balloon. Then cut the top part of the balloon off. (Example below)
Step 2 – Stretch the balloon tightly around the empty toilet paper roll. Secure with tape.
Step 3 – Wrap the toilet paper roll with paper. Secure it with tape. Cut off the excess paper from the toilet paper roll.
Step 4 – Optional Step: Decorate the roll with pom poms or glitter or anything else you want to add to the Confetti Popper! You can also use markers or crayons to draw designs.
Step 5 – Parental Assistance May Be Needed For This Step: Take the colorful paper and use the scissors to cut up the shredded tissue paper into confetti pieces.
Step 6 – Add the confetti to the toilet paper roll.
Step 7 – To launch the confetti, pull down on the bottom knot of the balloon, and let go! Hooray! Now you’re ready to celebrate Juneteenth!