Juneteenth is believed to be the oldest African-American holiday, and its recent federalization speaks to the significance of African American heritage in shaping American history.
Even after the US officially abolished slavery in 1863, the news took more than two years to reach some parts of the country. That’s why every June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth to commemorate a historic moment in Texas in 1865, when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, TX, with news that the war had ended and that enslaved people were now free. Culminating centuries of slave resistance and rebellion, the rise of the abolitionist movement, and a brutal Civil War.
Discovering the True Beauty of Black History Beyond Juneteenth
Beyond this date, however, lie other crucial cultural celebrations that also deserve recognition and honor. This June Nineteenth, take the time to learn more about the many other African American holidays that are a vital part of American history.
MLK Day – Third Monday of January
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a significant public holiday in the United States, dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Observed on the third Monday of January each year; it honors the iconic civil rights leader and his immense contributions towards equality and freedom. Interestingly, King’s actual birthday was on January 15, 1929.
At NYFA, we remember Dr. King through his work and keep his mission alive by watching films and portrayals of him in popular media. From documentaries to biographies, check out this article with some of our favorite movies and stories featuring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Celebrating Black History Month and those who made history in February
From Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Love and Basketball (2000) to Barry Jenkin’s Moonlight (2016), there are plenty of films for cinephiles to celebrate excellence from Black filmmakers and actors. There are films that tell the stories of Black life, culture, and history, all from the perspectives of Black directors, writers, actors, and visual storytellers such as Nia DaCosta, Jordan Peele, Zendaya, Viola Davis or the late Chadwick Boseman. Dive into this article highlighting ten films that have truly made their mark in pop culture and cinematic history through the decades.
Image from filmcomment.com
Transit Equity Day is celebrated every February 4th and coincides with the birthday of the iconic Rosa Parks. It commemorates her steadfast bravery and position as a catalyst for the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott of 1955. Discover the birthing of a US equal rights movement with a film that impacted history. Boycott (2001) uses archival footage to transport you to a tense era, depicting Rosa Parks’ interactions with legendary figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Jeffrey Wright), Coretta Scott King (Carmen Ejogo), and Ralph Abernathy (Terrence Howard).
In the 2002 film, The Rosa Parks Story, Angela Bassett tells the story of the civil rights icon, her journey from a private-school student to her courageous fight against racism and segregation in the public sphere.
On February 23, 1868, William Edward Burghardt DuBois, better known as W.E.B. Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The first African American to hold a Ph.D. from Harvard, Du Bois made history with The Philadelphia Negro, the first case study of an African American community. You can discover the inspiring account of Du Bois’s life by reading The Souls of Black Folk, a series of essays in which he presents his vision for progress among African Americans: enfranchisement, political power, and education. For those who prefer to watch, W.E.B. DuBois: A Biography in Four Voices is a captivating 1996 documentary that shares the life of one of the major strategists behind the empowerment of African Americans through animation, interviews with different writers and archival footage.
Stepping into March with Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman Day is a remarkable American holiday honoring anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, celebrated on March 10th in the U.S. and especially in New York. And with Juneteenth now a federal holiday, pressure is mounting to give this special day the recognition it deserves. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out Cynthia Erivo’s performance in the powerful biopic Harriet (2019), sharing the story of Tubman’s heroic journey from enslavement to freedom and helping others find their way.
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Erivo via Instagram
Is Emancipation Day a Federal Holiday?
On April 16, 1862, President Lincoln took a historic step and signed an act to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. This action paved the way for full emancipation and enfranchisement of African Americans. If you’re interested in learning more about this pivotal moment in history, you gotta check out Will Smith’s Emancipation. This 2022 American historical action thriller film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and co-produced by Smith, tells the story of a runaway slave on a harrowing escape through Louisiana’s swamps while being pursued by slave catchers and their dogs.
The power of education and social change is alive in May
On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court took on racial segregation in public schools and declared it unconstitutional. If you ever wondered what it might’ve been like for the first black students who entered newly integrated schools, check out Through Her Eyes, a drama following an African American teen who battles self-esteem issues while striving to attend a newly integrated school alongside relentless racial prejudice. Or dive into Ruby Bridges – a 1998 tv film based on the true story of Ruby Bridges. As one of the first black students selected to attend integrated schools in New Orleans in 1960, Ruby faced some of the most intense prejudice of her time, all while being only six years old.
Malcolm X Day is an American holiday that celebrates the iconic figure’s birthday on May 19th or the third Friday of May. Born Malcolm Little and later known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X went from being an American Muslim minister to a renowned human rights activist during the civil rights movement. Blood Brothers (2021) shares the incredible tale of the friendship between Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, two of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
June: Honoring African American Music, Culture and History
Originating as Black Music Month, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed in 1979 to spotlight African American music, thereby declaring June the month of Black music. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most inspiring biographical movies about Black artists. Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It, the epic Ray (2004), The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021), Straight Outta Compton (2015,) Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes (2019), or the 2021 critically-acclaimed “Respect” about Aretha Franklin’s life.
Celebrate Black Liberation and Juneteenth with incredible films and documentaries highlighting the historical significance of General Order No. 3, issued by Union General Gordon Granger in 1865. From The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) or Netflix’s The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017) to Miss Juneteenth (2020).
A standing ovation to all of the amazing African American troops in July
July 28th is National Buffalo Soldiers Day, a celebration of the earliest African American troops who served without recognition on the Western frontier after the Civil War. If you want to learn more about this important history, add Black Patriots: Buffalo Soldiers (2022) and Buffalo Soldiers (1997) to your must-see list.
Time to honor those who keep fighting against racial injustice
August marks the beginning of Black August, an annual celebration and prison-based holiday that honors Black freedom fighters and political prisoners. The noteworthy title was also given to the 2008 film that recounts the experiences of prison activist George Jackson. And for a thought-provoking account of the current criminalization of African Americans, check out the documentary 13th on Netflix.
From Jamaican-born political activist, entrepreneur, and publisher Marcus Garvey to Emmett Till’s brutal murder, take a look at this article for other films and documentaries with significant meaning in August that narrate the courageous journey of African American figures pursuing justice.
Black power takes over in September
Did you know that New York City Metro area is home to the biggest Black population of any city in the U.S.? The biggest celebration of African American culture happens every September at the African American Day Parade in Harlem. As one of the largest African American parades, it’s a must-see event that takes you on a lively journey through Harlem. You can relive past parades and performances by checking out their YouTube channel and also discover more about this enduring ethnic presence by watching two classic films from 1989: Harlem Nights and Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing.
And if you are feeling an unrelenting pull to discover more about the African American community in NYC? Look no further – save this article for a fascinating exploration of NYC’s rich black history through films and TV shows. This is a must-read for anyone seeking knowledge and insight into the birthplace of the New York Film Academy.
NBOTB stands for National Battle of the Bands, and if you’ve never heard of this event before, run to read our latest article that highlights not only this major celebration of black excellence and the HBCU community at large but also the upcoming National Battle of the Bands, Salute to HBCU Marching Bands documentary set to release June 17th, 2023.
It’s Kwanzaa time
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African American culture celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home.
Image from rugrats.fandom.com
Some of the best TV shows have integrated Kwanzaa celebrations into their seasons. For kids, there’s A Rugrats Kwanzaa from Season 7, Episode 13, and Everybody Hates Chris takes on the holiday in Season 3, Episode 10, with their episode titled Everybody Hates Kwanzaa. You can now also stream The Proud Family on Disney+, which includes a special Seven Days Of Kwanzaa on their 11th episode of the first season.
Bringing Stories to Life at NYFA
NYFA provides an excellent platform for students to showcase their creativity by narrating their chronicles and representing their cultures. With unlimited possibilities to produce captivating content, including documentary films, fictional TV shows, or graphic novels, students learn to make their visions a reality. Request more information today to discover more about NYFA and our diverse programs.