Celebrating Juneteenth
Celebrating “Freedom Day” 2024: A Virtual Juneteenth Exhibit with NHD Massachusetts
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) celebrates the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state, declaring that according to the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, all enslaved people in Texas are free. Since then, Juneteenth celebrations have honored our country’s second Independence Day and recognized the ongoing fight for human rights and equality.
Though it has long been celebrated among African American communities, Juneteenth is a part of history that still remains largely unknown to the wider public. In 2020, Juneteenth was declared a state holiday in Massachusetts, and the following year was recognized as a federal holiday.
The Massachusetts Historical Society began an annual NHD Massachusetts Juneteenth exhibition in 2020 with three goals: to promote an understanding of and engagement with the Juneteenth holiday; to highlight select NHD student projects whose work explores topics related to African American history, culture, achievement, and freedom; and to spread awareness of these often-marginalized historical narratives. This year's NHD projects approached history through the theme of "Turning Points in History."
The Massachusetts Historical Society invites you to explore this original and extraordinary student work from the 2024 NHD Massachusetts competition season.
2024 National History Day in Massachusetts Projects
Documentaries
The Termination of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study: A Turning Point in Human ResearchJosephine Calzada, Chloe C., and Emma Hua
Needham High School
"Our documentary details the termination of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, a turning point in the history of U.S. medicine and government policy. The film highlights both the causes of the horrific event, as well as the lasting effects on African American communities and the U.S. legislature."
Process Paper and Bibliography
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Exhibits
Jackie Robinson: Too Fast to be Stopped From Changing HistoryPaul G.
St. Joseph School
"Jackie Robinson’s story is significant because it represents a turning point in American history. He shattered the color barrier in professional sports and paved the way for future generations of African Americans to succeed. Robinson’s legacy has inspired countless individuals to fight for social justice, and his impact can still be felt today."
Process Paper and Bibliography
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Forging Freedom: The 54th Massachusetts RegimentTatum Leahy
Leahy Homeschool
"An exhibit illustrating how the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts, comprised of African American soldiers, created a pivotal turning point in U.S. history by challenging racial prejudices, showcasing the valor of Black soldiers, reshaping the perceptions of Black military capabilities, and contributing to the broader struggle for freedom and equality."
Process Paper and Bibliography----
Loving v. VirginiaEmma Manning, Luna Post, and Adah Rosen
Needham High School
"The case, Loving v. Virginia, was a turning point in history that led to the legalization of interracial marriage and upward trends in fighting against systemic racism and discrimination. This was important for the progression of civil rights in the United States, and this case helped change ideas of white supremacy in the US, by allowing more couples of all races to marry."
Process Paper and Bibliography
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Websites
Shuffle Along: and the Tapping Feet that Changed the Great White WayJulia Bial, Jake Flynn, Charlotte Madden, and Noah Peabody
Hamilton-Wenham Regional School
"This website explores the history and success of the musical Shuffle Along. Shuffle Along was one of the first successful all African American musicals on Broadway. The success of the show led to greater acceptance of Black theater and an overall racial acceptance in America."
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The Cleveland Summit: A Transformative Event of Black Athlete ActivismDawson English
Winchester High School
"This project details The Cleveland Summit, a meeting involving the top Black athletes of the day that revolutionized the landscape for athlete activism in America. It explores how a group of athletes collaborated and deliberated on a highly charged racial, political, and socioeconomic topic. Discover how this event paved the way for Black athletes' voices to be heard on societal issues and allowed the public to see them as Black men, unified in their stance against a racial injustice.”----
Papers
The Life and Career of a Tennis Icon: How Althea Gibson Created a Turning Point in African American Female SportsKatie Kim
Deerfield Academy
"This paper is about the life and career of a tennis icon Althea Gibson. As the first African American female to break the racial barrier not just in tennis, but also in sports in general, Gibson was able to serve as a trailblazer for aspiring African American female athletes. Gibson stands as an exemplary figure of one who proceeds and strives to be their authentic self no matter what the public says, leaving a resounding impact on future generations and enabling her to rise to such a prominent position."
Rosies and Roses: The Misconceptions about the Impact of Rosie the Riveter on Women's Rights and Racial DiscriminationSarah Wang
Pike School
"While Rosie the Riveter has been celebrated as an influential symbol of female empowerment and feminine masculinity during World War II, her image fails to capture the marginalized experiences of African American women. Rosie's portrayal as a white woman overlooks the significant barriers and discrimination faced by African American women and other people of color at the time. As such, it is important that Rosie the Riveter not only be recognized for what she represents – a feminist icon – but also the vast array of experiences her image leaves out of the history books."
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