EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• slavery: the practice of owning other people and forcing them to work
• commemorate: to celebrate something
• abolition: the act of ending something
• freedom: the ability to live without being enslaved
• senate: a group of people who can make laws for a country

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11 — 1.1MB)

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Gapfill exercise

June 19th, or Juneteenth for short, is a that many Black Americans celebrate every year. The day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. U.S. President Lincoln first the abolition of slavery on January 1st, 1863. However, the did not arrive in Texas until June 19th, 1865 – almost two and a half years later. That day, around 250,000 enslaved people gained their freedom. Black people in Texas began to celebrate June 19th every year after that. Over the years, people across the joined in the celebrations. In 2021, the United States Senate voted to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20406″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. What is the significance of making Juneteenth a national holiday?

Transcript

June 19th, or Juneteenth for short, is a holiday that many Black Americans celebrate every year. The day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. U.S. President Lincoln first announced the abolition of slavery on January 1st, 1863. However, the news did not arrive in Texas until June 19th, 1865 – almost two and a half years later. That day, around 250,000 enslaved people gained their freedom. Freed Black people in Texas began to celebrate June 19th every year after that. Over the years, people across the country joined in the celebrations. In 2021, the United States Senate voted to make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• activist: a person who stands up for a certain cause
• slavery: a situation where a person owns another person
• network: an organized group or system
• illegal: not allowed by law
• mission: a journey to complete a task
• abolish: to end something

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20 — 1.2MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Harriet Tubman was an American activist who helped to free hundreds of people from slavery. She was born into slavery herself around 1820, and she in 1849. A network of people called the Underground Railroad helped Tubman make the journey to the North, where slavery was illegal. However, once Tubman gained her , she decided that she wanted to help other people gain theirs. She began to work with the Underground Railroad. Her job was to rescue enslaved people and bring them to the North, where they could freely. She went on many missions over eight years. When the American Civil War began in 1861, Tubman joined the army to work as a . She eventually got to lead a raid in South Carolina that freed hundreds of enslaved people. Even after slavery was abolished in the United States, Tubman continued to fight for the rights of Black Americans and women. She died in 1913, at about 90 years old.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20174″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. In the United States and Canada, February is Black History Month. Tubman’s story is often taught in schools during this time. Why is it so important to learn stories like hers?
2. Can you think of some other people in history who fought for human rights?

Transcript

Harriet Tubman was an American activist who helped to free hundreds of people from slavery. She was born into slavery herself around 1820, and she escaped in 1849. A network of people called the Underground Railroad helped Tubman make the journey to the North, where slavery was illegal. However, once Tubman gained her freedom, she decided that she wanted to help other people gain theirs. She began to work with the Underground Railroad. Her job was to rescue enslaved people and bring them to the North, where they could live freely. She went on many missions over eight years. When the American Civil War began in 1861, Tubman joined the army to work as a nurse. She eventually got to lead a raid in South Carolina that freed hundreds of enslaved people. Even after slavery was abolished in the United States, Tubman continued to fight for the rights of Black Americans and women. She died in 1913, at about 90 years old.