Bill > A2475

Introduced Session

Juneteenth Independence Day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The day commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, in which Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and that the enslaved were made free through the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, the celebration of Juneteenth symbolizes African American freedom, celebrates the abolition of slavery, and reminds all Americans of the significant contributions African Americans have made to society. It is also a time for self-improvement and for reflection and education on the United States' history regarding slavery and its legacy. In 2004, a State law was enacted that designated the third Saturday in June of each year as Juneteenth Independence Day in New Jersey to commemorate and celebrate the emancipation of African Americans and foster respect for all cultures. Pursuant to that law, school districts were permitted to offer instruction regarding the day at an appropriate place in the curriculum. This bill would require school districts to provide instruction on the events and historical and cultural significance of Juneteenth Independence Day, as part of the school district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies. The instruction would provide students with information on, at a minimum: the events that occurred on Juneteenth Independence Day; the historical context in which Juneteenth Independence Day occurred; why word of the end of the Civil War did not reach enslaved persons in Texas until approximately two months after the war's conclusion and why word of the Emancipation Proclamation did not reach those individuals until nearly two and a half years after it took effect; and what Juneteenth Independence Day means and symbolizes in United States history and how communities across the country celebrate and reflect on the day. Under the bill, the Commissioner of Education will provide school districts with age-appropriate sample learning activities and resources designed to enhance students' overall understanding of Juneteenth Independence Day and its historical and cultural significance.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Annette Quijano (D)*,  Gabriel Rodriguez (D), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document