Today is Juneteenth, to commemorate this day we found a wonderful lesson
Plan called: History of Juneteenth and why it became a national holiday from https://www.pbs.org/ which shares, "On June 15, 2021, the Senate unanimously approved a bill approving June 19 as a federal holiday for “Juneteenth National Independence Day.” The House passed the bill one day later. Still, many Americans are still unaware of the history and significance of June 19.
On Jan. 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring “that all persons held as slaves” in the Confederacy “shall be free.” While this may have freed some enslaved people on paper, the reality was much more complicated.
For instance, the Emancipation Proclamation only freed those slaves held under the Confederacy, not in border states loyal to the Union, including Kentucky, West Virginia and Delaware, where slavery was still legal after the Emancipation Proclamation. In fact, slavery was still legal in Kentucky until Dec. 1865, when the 13th Amendment was passed, though Kentucky voted against ratifying the amendment.
Confederate states and slaveholders also resisted emancipation, and many people remained enslaved in Confederate states after the proclamation, even as many enslaved people fought for their freedom or escaped behind Union lines. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger of the Union issued an order in Galveston, Texas, alerting all enslaved persons that they were legally free.
At this point in 1865, Texas was the westernmost state in America and one of the last Confederate states to be occupied by the Union. Many slaveholders had fled Union advances in other parts of the South to Texas, along with the people they had enslaved.
While it took time for the logistics of “freeing” enslaved people to come into effect, the importance of June 19, or “Juneteenth” lived on. Considering how complicated emancipation was, many dates were considered for holding celebrations of emancipation, but over 150 years later, June 19 remains.
What originally was a holiday mainly observed by Texans has grown to be recognized all over the country. Each year on “Juneteenth,” (or more formally Juneteenth National Freedom Day), communities all around the United States gather and celebrate and reflect on the history of slavery and struggle for civil rights and equality, including the work that still remains after conditional advances such as the Emancipation Proclamation. " Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/lesson-plans/2024/06/lesson-plan-history-of-juneteenth-and-why-its-set-to-become-a-national-holiday
In the Lesson we were encourgaed to answer these discussion questions feom :
What is “Juneteenth”? What does it celebrate?
Why did it take so long for enslaved peoples in Texas to finally be free?
What obstacles existed?
What were some of the forms of discrimination against newly freed people mentioned in the video?
What is the Great Migration?
How did Juneteenth become a national, not just regional, celebration?
We also listens to three of Busy Kids Do Piano Podcasts learning about Sergi Prokofiev's and his Peter and the Wolf and Cinderella. Carly always does the most talented divine job.
Interestingly on June 24 source: https://asunciontimes.com/culture/cultural-events/the-festival-of-san-juan-ara-is-coming-soon-in-asuncion/
The festival of San Juan, celebrated every year on June 24th, is one of Paraguay’s most popular festivities. Known locally as ‘San Juan Ara’ in Guarani, this event blends traditional Spanish customs with Guarani traditions, creating unique cultural experiences. The celebration is renowned for its delectable foods and lively games. The rich mixture of religious and traditional elements makes it a particular Paraguayan festival.
The origin of San Juan
This festival has its roots in pre-Columbian times when indigenous peoples performed ceremonies to welcome the cold in the southern hemisphere. With the arrival of the Jesuit missionaries, this feast became Christianized and was established on the 24th of June, the date on which the Bible considers St. John the Baptist was born.
1. Traditional Games and Dances
The San Juan Festival traditionally starts on the night of the 23rd of June with music, singing, dancing, and games. The protagonists of this tradition are the ‘Sun’ and the ‘Fire’, and that is why many of the games are linked to fire.
Tata Ari Jehasa: A fire-walking ritual where participants walk barefoot over hot coals, demonstrating their faith and courage.
Yvyra syi: This consists of climbing a tall, greased or soaped pole, on the top, there are various prizes, and participants compete to climb the pole in search of these prizes.
Toro Candil: A bull costume made of cardboard and decorated with lighted candles is driven by a person who runs among the participants trying to scare them.
Judas Kai: One of the most awaited events during the festival. A rag doll is hung by its neck on a tall pole and is burnt. This doll represents Judas Iscariot who in the bible is known as the person who betrayed Jesus.
Pelota tata: A ball made of rags the size of a football is used, soaked in alcohol or fuel, set on fire and kicked between the participants to test their courage and skill, while the audience cheers and celebrates.
Vosa Race: Competitors get into waist-high bags and grab the ends of the bag with their hands and start running while jumping.
2. Paraguayan traditional gastronomy
Many typical Paraguayan winter foods can be tasted in this festival season – and some of them are only sold at the San Juan Ara!
Pastel Mandi’o or Empanada de Mandica (non-vegetarian)
Mbeju con cocido (vegetarian)
Chicharõ trenzado (non-vegetarian): Chicharõ in guarani is the cut of meat from flank steak, and as the name says ‘trenzado’ which means braid in Spanish, a braid is made from this strips of meat.
Payagua mascada (non-vegetarian): It’s a Delicious traditional Paraguayan fried Patty, made by minced meat and spring onions.
Chipa Kavure or Chipa Asador (vegetarian)
Butifarra (non-vegetarian): A white sausage, made with fatty pork, often cooked in asado. Locals like to eat with Cassava better known here as ‘Mandioca’. Source:
