Juneteenth​ Quiz: 20+ Questions and Answers on US National Independence Day

Juneteenth is a powerful and meaningful day that holds a special place in American history. It is a time of reflection, celebration, and learning. To help you discover more about this important occasion, we've prepared a fun and educational quiz.

This quiz covers key moments, figures, symbols, and facts related to Juneteenth. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or someone who simply loves learning, these questions will challenge your general knowledge while giving you a deeper understanding of the day’s importance.

Each question comes with the correct answer and a short explanation to make the learning process easy and enjoyable. Ready to test how much you know? Let’s dive into the quiz and see how many answers you can get right!

1. When is Juneteenth celebrated every year?

A. July 4

B. June 1

C. June 19

D. May 31

Answer: C. June 19

Explanation: Juneteenth is observed on June 19 to commemorate the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom.

2. What does “Juneteenth” stand for?

A. June Seventeenth

B. June 10

C. June Nineteenth

D. Junior Nineteenth

Answer: C. June Nineteenth

Explanation: "Juneteenth" is a blend of "June" and "Nineteenth."

3. In which year did Juneteenth originate?

A. 1776

B. 1865

C. 1901

D. 1964

Answer: B. 1865

Explanation: Juneteenth began in 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.

4. Who was the U.S. president when slavery officially ended?

A. George Washington

B. Abraham Lincoln

C. Andrew Johnson

D. Thomas Jefferson

Answer: B. Abraham Lincoln

Explanation: Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which led to the eventual end of slavery.

5. What document declared all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free?

A. The Bill of Rights

B. The Gettysburg Address

C. The Emancipation Proclamation

D. The Constitution

Answer: C. The Emancipation Proclamation

Explanation: Signed in 1863, it freed slaves in Confederate-held territories.

6. Who brought the news of freedom to Texas on June 19, 1865?

A. Abraham Lincoln

B. General Robert E. Lee

C. General Ulysses S. Grant

D. General Gordon Granger

Answer: D. General Gordon Granger

Explanation: He arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, freeing the slaves.

7. Which U.S. state was the last to learn about the Emancipation Proclamation?

A. Virginia

B. Texas

C. Georgia

D. Alabama

Answer: B. Texas

Explanation: Texas was the most remote Confederate state, and the last where the Emancipation Proclamation was enforced.

8. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday?

A. 2000

B. 2010

C. 2021

D. 1999

Answer: C. 2021

Explanation: President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in June 2021.

9. What is the name of the order General Granger issued in Galveston?

A. Order No. 19

B. General Order No. 3

C. Freedom Act

D. Texas Freedom Order

Answer: B. General Order No. 3

Explanation: This order officially freed the enslaved people in Texas.

10. Which U.S. president signed the law making Juneteenth a national holiday?

A. Barack Obama

B. Joe Biden

C. Donald Trump

D. George W. Bush

Answer: B. Joe Biden

Explanation: Joe Biden signed the bill into law on June 17, 2021.

11. What is the official name of the Juneteenth federal holiday?

A. Emancipation Day

B. Freedom Day

C. Juneteenth National Independence Day

D. Liberty Day

Answer: C. Juneteenth National Independence Day

Explanation: This is the official name under U.S. law.

12. Which group of people does Juneteenth primarily honor?

A. Civil War soldiers

B. Former presidents

C. African Americans

D. American farmers

Answer: C. African Americans

Explanation: Juneteenth honors their liberation and legacy.

13. Juneteenth is also known by which of these names?

A. Black Freedom Day

B. Liberation Day

C. Emancipation Day

D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: These names reflect different aspects of what Juneteenth represents.

14. In what city did Juneteenth celebrations begin?

A. Dallas

B. Austin

C. Galveston

D. Houston

Answer: C. Galveston

Explanation: It all started in Galveston on June 19, 1865.

15. What flag is commonly flown during Juneteenth?

A. Juneteenth flag

B. Pan-African flag

C. U.S. flag only

D. Confederate flag

Answer: A. Juneteenth flag

Explanation: The Juneteenth flag has a starburst and horizon design symbolizing a new beginning.

16. What year was the Emancipation Proclamation signed?

A. 1861

B. 1863

C. 1865

D. 1870

Answer: B. 1863

Explanation: President Lincoln signed it on January 1, 1863.

17. Which war ended shortly before Juneteenth?

A. World War I

B. American Revolution

C. Civil War

D. Spanish-American War

Answer: C. Civil War

Explanation: The Civil War ended in April 1865; Juneteenth followed in June.

18. Which amendment officially abolished slavery in the U.S.?

A. 1st Amendment

B. 13th Amendment

C. 5th Amendment

D. 10th Amendment

Answer: B. 13th Amendment

Explanation: Ratified in December 1865, it abolished slavery nationwide.

19. Who signed the Texas bill making Juneteenth a state holiday?

A. Rick Perry

B. Ann Richards

C. George W. Bush

D. Al Edwards

Answer: D. Al Edwards

Explanation: Texas State Representative Al Edwards sponsored the bill that made Juneteenth an official holiday in Texas.

20. What does the curve on the Juneteenth flag represent?

A. The Mississippi River

B. A new horizon

C. A rainbow of hope

D. A mountain of struggle

Answer: B. A new horizon

Explanation: The curve represents a new beginning and a hopeful future for African Americans.