Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is celebrated annually on June 19th. On that day in 1865, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved people were now free. Juneteenth honors this momentous occasion and celebrates the end of slavery in the United States.
Riddles can be a fun way to teach and learn about Juneteenth. Here are 67 riddles about Juneteenth National Independence Day along with their answers. Some focus on key facts and history while others take a more creative approach. How many can you get right?
Juneteenth History Riddles
Q: In what month and on what date is Juneteenth celebrated each year?
A: Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th every year.
Q: In what year did Juneteenth originate?
A: Juneteenth originated in 1865.
Q: On Juneteenth, what important news about slavery did Union soldiers deliver in Galveston, Texas?
A: They announced that the Civil War was over and all enslaved people were free.
Q: How many years after the Emancipation Proclamation was Juneteenth declared a federal holiday?
A: 156 years after. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Q: Which president made Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021?
A: President Joe Biden
Q: Before becoming a federal holiday, how many states celebrated Juneteenth as a state holiday?
A: 47 states
Q: Which were the last two states to officially recognize Juneteenth?
A: South Dakota and Hawaii
Q: What document issued by President Lincoln in 1863 declared all slaves in rebelling states free?
A: The Emancipation Proclamation
Q: What war led to the defeat of the Confederate States and the abolition of slavery?
A: The American Civil War
Q: Which Confederate state was the last to have enslaved people freed?
A: Texas
Word Riddles
Q: I’m a word that means set free or liberated. What am I?
A: Emancipated
Q: I’m the opposite of slave. What word am I?
A: Free
Q: I’m another word for captive or bound that was used to describe enslaved people. What am I?
A: Enslaved
Q: I’m a term used for the period after the Civil War when rights were granted to former enslaved people. What am I?
A: Reconstruction
Q: I’m the process of ending a law or system. What am I?
A: Abolition
Q: I’m the withdrawal of a state from a larger federation or nation. What am I?
A: Secession
Q: I’m the act of revolting or rebelling against authority. What am I?
A: Insurrection
Q: I’m the name for the 11 southern states that seceded from the Union, leading to the Civil War. What am I?
A: The Confederacy
Q: I’m the name for the northern states who were against slavery during the Civil War. What am I?
A: The Union
Q: I’m the term for a formal declaration that grants freedom to enslaved people. What proclamation am I?
A: The Emancipation Proclamation
Phrase Riddles
Q: I’m a 3-word phrase that means to officially end or abolish slavery. What am I?
A: Abolition of slavery
Q: I’m a 4-word phrase meaning the state of being freed from slavery. What am I?
A: Freedom from slavery
Q: I’m a 5-word phrase that’s another way to say the Civil War ended. What am I?
A: The war was over
Q: I’m a 4-word phrase describing the news of freedom delivered to enslaved people in Texas. What am I?
A: You are now free
Q: I’m a 7-word phrase referring to the departure of southern states from the Union. What am I?
A: Secession of Confederate states
Q: I’m a 4-word phrase meaning the system of slavery in the south. What am I?
A: Southern slave economy
Q: I’m a 3-word phrase that means the slaves have been emancipated. What am I?
A: Slaves were freed
Q: I’m a 5-word phrase meaning the period after slaves were freed. What am I?
A: Life after emancipation
Q: I’m a 6-word phrase describing the celebration of freedom from slavery. What am I?
A: Juneteenth Independence Day
Place Riddles
Q: What U.S. state was the last to have enslavement end on Juneteenth?
A: Texas
Q: What Texas city is considered the birthplace of Juneteenth?
A: Galveston
Q: Enslaved people in this border state were freed in 1864. What state is it?
A: Maryland
Q: This Confederate state resumed flying the Union flag when slavery was abolished there. What state is it?
A: Virginia
Q: This southern state was one of the first to make Juneteenth an official state holiday. What state is it?
A: Texas
Q: Home to a famous emancipation statue featuring Lincoln, this state celebrates Juneteenth. What state is it?
A: Washington DC
Q: This Midwestern state was part of the Union during the Civil War. What state is it?
A: Ohio
Q: This New England state was a hub of the abolitionist movement. What state is it?
A: Massachusetts
Q: This western state joined the Union as a free state in 1864. What state is it?
A: Nevada
Calendar Riddles
Q: Juneteenth takes place on the 19th of what month each year?
A: June
Q: Juneteenth occurs in the 6th month of the year. What is this month called?
A: June
Q: If Juneteenth is on a Saturday this year, what day will it be on next year?
A: Sunday
Q: Juneteenth falls between what two other well-known holidays each year?
A: Memorial Day and Independence Day
Q: Juneteenth is celebrated 2 days before the summer solstice. What is the solstice date?
A: June 21st
Q: In 2023, Juneteenth will be celebrated on a Sunday. What date will that be?
A: June 19, 2023
Q: If Juneteenth is on the 3rd Thursday of June this year, what is the date?
A: June 15th
Q: Juneteenth is considered a national independence day. When is America’s other Independence Day?
A: July 4th
Q: Juneteenth takes place in the second quarter of the calendar year. What are the months?
A: April, May, June
Symbol Riddles
Q: I’m a red, white, and blue flag flown to celebrate Juneteenth. What am I?
A: Juneteenth Flag
Q: I’m a colorful star-shaped ornament hung during Juneteenth. What am I?
A: Juneteenth Lantern
Q: I’m a white flower given as a Juneteenth gift to symbolize freedom. What am I?
A: Lily
Q: I’m a type of red drink served at Juneteenth barbecues. What am I?
A: Strawberry soda
Q: I’m the name for the Juneteenth custom of releasing red balloons into the sky. What am I?
A: Balloon release
Q: I’m a bright and colorful fabric worn to Juneteenth events. What am I?
A: African print
Q: I’m a painting with a Juneteenth theme, like the Emancipation Proclamation. What am I?
A: Juneteenth artwork
Q: I’m a book of stories, poems, and history about the Juneteenth holiday. What am I?
A: Juneteenth anthology
Tradition Riddles
Q: What type of gatherings featuring BBQ, music, and fun take place on Juneteenth?
A: Juneteenth celebrations
Q: What historic site do people visit on Juneteenth to reflect on the past?
A: Plantations
Q: What type of dances performed at Juneteenth events celebrate African American culture?
A: Traditional African dances
Q: What colorful costumes are worn at Juneteenth parades each year?
A: Masquerade outfits
Q: What types of Juneteenth events bring the community together for gratitude?
A: Church services
Q: What types of artistic events showcase African American creativity?
A: Musical performances
Q: What traditional Juneteenth events feature public readings and speeches?
A: Emancipation Proclamations
Q: What types of educational Juneteenth events teach younger generations history?
A: Museum exhibits
Q: What is a common Juneteenth tradition where people camp out and stay up all night swapping stories?
A: Staying up around the bonfire
Food Riddles
Q: What red Juneteenth drink is made from fruit and ginger ale?
A: Red sweetheart punch
Q: What traditional soul food is a Juneteenth staple?
A: Fried chicken
Q: What green vegetable is considered lucky to eat on Juneteenth?
A: Collard greens
Q: What Juneteenth desserts use red foods like strawberries, red velvet, or red beans?
A: Red velvet cake, strawberry pie, red bean ice cream
Q: What savory Juneteenth side dish is slow cooked with meat and seasonings?
A: Smothered pork chops
Q: What type of barbecue meat is a highlight of Juneteenth meals?
A: Ribs
Q: What fruit filling and flaky crust make a perfect Juneteenth treat?
A: Peach cobbler
Q: What chocolatey Juneteenth dessert is topped with pecans?
A: Chocolate pecan pie
Q: What warm, cinnamon Juneteenth beverage is a crowd pleaser?
A: Spiced cider
Creative Riddles
Q: Until I’m solved, some meanings are sealed. Read me slowly my secrets to yield. Freedom for all is what I now teach, since slavery’s chains I work to impeach. What am I?
A: A Juneteenth riddle
Q: Like a lantern I shine, my red meaning divine. Freedom and justice I now inspire, on Juneteenth’s date I blaze fire. What am I?
A: Juneteenth candle
Q: I wave high in the sun, my colors blaze freedom for everyone. The red stripe you see, means liberty now for all to be free. What am I?
A: Juneteenth flag
Q: We gather with joy, good times are our ploy. Music, food, fun and more, on this date we all adore. What are we?
A: Juneteenth revelers
Q: I march down the street, my costume’s complete. With feathers and sequins so I can sparkle, celebrating freedom makes me want to warble! What am I?
A: Juneteenth parade dancer
Q: I am a storyteller passing down generations. Great moments in history’s sensations! Tales of justice won I proudly share, Juneteenth’s meaning is what I declare! Who am I?
A: Juneteenth griot
Q: Red drinks we pour, BBQ we adore. Blankets on the ground, Joyful freedom sounds. What are we celebrating?
A: Juneteenth holiday
Q: Bright balloons in the sky, Red, white and blue soaring high. Prayers are said, Speakers spread hope ahead. What is today?
A: Juneteenth
Conclusion
Juneteenth is an important American holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. These riddles cover key history, traditions, symbols, and celebrations of Juneteenth National Independence Day in a fun and engaging format. Riddles encourage critical thinking while also teaching us about the past and why holidays like Juneteenth must be honored. This collection highlights amazing strides in the journey toward equality while also reminding us that the struggle for liberty continues even today. How did you do with these 67 Juneteenth riddles? The more we learn and talk openly about our nation’s history, the closer we come to securing freedom and justice for all.
