Today breaking news reaches us in moments via the Internet. I frequently receive "breaking news alert" emails and am aware of significant local, state, national and world news well before my "newspaper" friends due to the publishing delay. But even with the publishing delay, they receive news in what is still considered a timely manner by today's standards.

On June 19th in 1865, word of President Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Texas. Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation took place two and half years previously. Timely communication? Hardly. There are several tales explaining the delay, from the death of a messenger to the news being deliberately with held; none have been confirmed.

Juneteenth takes its name from the combination of June and the nineteenth, the day of the celebration. Today's Juneteenth celebrations honor African American's freedom and respect for all cultures. As you celebrate this historic day with your students, consider reading Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson. The book tells the story of a slave girl's journey on the Underground Railroad. The book's illustrations are rich and beautiful. Further explore the Underground Railroad by visiting with your students The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Deborah Hopkinson's book and the Freedom Center's site will increase students' knowledge and their empathy for slaves and their journeys to be free.

Find Kidspiration and Inspiration activities at the Inspired Learning Community to support your students' exploration and learning of Juneteenth and other historical events. Search the word "Juneteenth." For additional Juneteenth lesson ideas, visit NCTE's and IRA's ReadWriteThink site.