Celebrate Juneteenth!
by Debbie Kerman, Assistant Director, NIU STEAM
June 15, 2022
On Monday, June 20th, NIU STEAM camps will take time to honor Juneteenth, a day set aside to celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. While the holiday dates back to 1865, it’s gained recognition since 2021 when President Joe Biden established Juneteenth as a federal holiday. With education and self-development being a common theme across many Juneteenth celebrations, the holiday offers great opportunity to learn about African American history and culture and to encourage an appreciation for all cultures.
Below are some ideas for families to take part in the celebration.
- Read and research– NIU professor and subject specialist librarian Robert Ridinger curated a Junteenth Reading List to help people learn about Juneteenth through literature.
- Plan a celebration with family and friends – Food and clothing have traditionally been important elements of Juneteenth celebrations. Historically, families and friends gathered and shared meals created in honor of this special occasion. Host a Juneteenth celebration and invite friends and family to prepare a special dish to share. Plan some activities synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations to entertain one another and carry on some of the traditions that date back to the earliest celebrations.
- Join a local celebration – Juneteenth Community Celebration, in collaboration with NIU’s Center for Black Studies will take place at Hopkins Park in DeKalb on Sunday, June 19 from noon-4:00 pm. For more information, visit the event website.
- Celebrate in Chicago with cultural events, popup markets, picnics and more. Check out the range of Chicago celebrations here.
- And here are links to some of the celebrations happening around northern Illinois!
Whether this holiday is new to you or you’ve been celebrating for years, everyone can pause and reflect on the importance of this day and celebrate the hope it brings.
