Tyra Is Excited About Juneteenth

Tyra cannot control her excitement: "Tomorrow is JUNETEENTH!" she shouts to her best friend, Nuvia. Tyra yells so loudly that everyone at TESS and MARRI'S ICE CREAM SHOP hears her announcement. "It is a day when we have parades, music, and a festival at the Dream Center with lots of food. My favorites are red velvet cupcakes!" says Tyra. Ms. Tess understands Tyra's excitement about the Juneteenth celebration. However, Ms. Tess explains that Juneteenth is more than parades, festivals, and food. She explains the true history of Juneteenth to Tyra and Nuvia, which began with the enslavement of African Americans up to June 19, 1865, when all African Americans learned that they were free! Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States through the Emancipation Proclamation and the passing of the 13th Amendment. It is a day to celebrate African Americans' achievements, justice, and freedom of African Americans and reflect on the continued fight for equity.