Juneteenth is around the corner and this Juneteenth trivia is a great way to celebrate. This day is a reminder of the Black Americans’ fight for freedom and refusal to give up. It is a time to gather as a community and reflect on how far it has come while recognizing the fight for equality is not over.
See how much you know about the holiday or quickly learn about it here with these 19 Juneteenth trivia questions. Do you know where in the US and what year Juneteenth was first celebrated? What about other names for the holiday or when it officially became a federal holiday? Answer these questions and more here.
19 Juneteenth Trivia Questions
Q: What does Juneteenth commemorate?
A: The emancipation of enslaved Black Americans in the United States.
Q: On what date is Juneteenth celebrated?
A: June 19th.
Q: Which year did Juneteenth originate?
A: 1865.
Q: In which city and state did Juneteenth originate?
A: Galveston, Texas.
Q: Who issued the Emancipation Proclamation that led to Juneteenth?
A: President Abraham Lincoln.
Q: Who was the Union general who announced the freedom of enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865?
A: General Gordon Granger.
Q: What is the name of the order that General Granger issued in Texas on June 19, 1865?
A: General Order No. 3.
Q: How many years after the Emancipation Proclamation was General Order No. 3. issued?
A: Two and a half years later.
Q: When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday in the United States?
A: In 2021.
Q: Which U.S. President signed the legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday?
A: President Joe Biden.
Q: What is another name for Juneteenth?
A: Emancipation Day, 2nd Independence Day, Jubilee Day or Freedom Day.
Q: Which state was the first to make Juneteenth an official state holiday?
A: Texas, in 1980.
Q: Which famous civil rights leader is known for their activism in making Juneteenth a state holiday in Texas?
A: Al Edwards, a Texas state legislator.
Q: What are common traditional foods associated with Juneteenth celebrations?
A: Barbecue, and red foods and drinks (such as strawberry soda and red velvet cake).
Q: Why are red foods traditional to Juneteenth celebrations?
A: To symbolize the struggle and resilience of enslaved ancestors
Q: What colors are often associated with Juneteenth celebrations?
A: Red, white and blue (mirroring the American flag), and sometimes red, black and green (symbolizing the Pan-African flag).
Q: What is the significance of the color red in Juneteenth celebrations?
A: It represents the bloodshed and resilience of African Americans.
Q: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery in the United States?
A: The 13th Amendment.
Q: What is the Juneteenth flag designed to represent?
A: The star represents Texas, the Confederate state where enslaved people were freed, and the bursting new star on the horizon represents a new freedom and a new people.
