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The 10 best viral African safari videos

The next best thing to going on an African safari is watching all the action of the savanna or bushveld on the small screen at home. While we love National Geographic documentaries, Sir David Attenborough’s excellent nature programs and the Discovery Channel, there’s also something special about watching unedited, unplanned and undirected African wildlife videos shot by people on a safari holiday with their smartphone or point and shoot camera. Some of these videos capture thrilling moments that nature documentary filming teams don’t manage to see in years of filming – like the famous “Battle of Kruger” scene where lions and a crocodile battle it out in a tug of war over a buffalo in a waterhole – and many of them have gone viral, amassing tens of millions of views.

Here is our pick of the 10 Best viral African safari videos shot by amateurs that we just can’t stop watching!

1. Battle at Kruger 

With over 76 million views, this is the most viral of all safari videos – and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of Africa’s most epic wildlife battles ever caught on camera!

2. Mountain biker hit by a buck

Just when you’re having a great cycle, a buck comes out of nowhere and takes you out!

3. Impala escapes certain death in a tourist car

This quick thinking impala jumps for safety into a safari goer’s car as it is pursued by a cheetah. Impala 1 – cheetah 0.

4. Rhino and hippo date night

One of them definitely used a fake photo for their Tinder profile.

5. Touched by a wild mountain gorilla

A magical chance encounter with a troop of wild gorillas in Uganda makes for a touching video and what must have been an extraordinary experience!

6. Lion opens car door

This shows you why you should always lock your car door and keep your windows up when driving through a game park in Africa.

7. World’s cutest frog

Remember that when you go on safari, it’s not just about seeing the big animals – the small ones are equally fascinating (and much cuter) – like this desert frog in South Africa.

8. A lion catches an antelope in a mid-air jump

This gives new meaning to the phrase “don’t play with your food”.

9. The lion-killing giraffe

Don’t mess with those long legs!

https://youtu.be/VhMU_F3arSA

10. Elephant attacks safari jeep

Imagine how scared you’d be feeling if you were sitting inside this jeep as the trumpeting elephant charged the car!

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LIVE Safari

Escape into nature with WildEarth any time of day and view an array of African animals – in real-time .

WildEarth offers award-winning live safari experiences .

These are broadcast directly from the African wilderness to your homes via the Internet or the 24/7 WildEarth channel.

Broadcasts are suitable for kids , adults , and families alike.

WildEarth has seasoned game rangers , safari vehicles , drones , balloons , rovers , and remote cams searching for all your favorite animals.

As the WildEarth safari live broadcast is in real-time, everything is completely unscripted and unpredictable .

This is reality TV as it should be – authentic and REAL.

Watch WildEarth Safari Live Now

WildEarth’s safari live brings you live safari broadcasts hosted by expert guides in Africa .

These broadcasts usually come to you from the Sabi Sands (Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa), Tswalu Kalahari , and even the Maasai Mara (south-western Kenya).

See More on WildEarth Safari Live YouTube

When the live stream is offline , you can still enjoy all the latest safari recordings below .

Or visit the official WildEarth YouTube channel  for even more interactive wildlife experiences .

NB : To choose past events in the video player, click on the playlist icon as shown in the screenshot below.

WildEarth Safari Live Broadcast Schedule

Wanting to watch WildEarth live today?

There are daily safaris taking place each day during sunrise and sunset .

Check out the broadcasting schedule.

WildEarth live sunrise safari

Start your day off with a WildEarth safari live stream.

Watch as the sun lights up the African savanna and the animals begin to go about their morning routines.

When: Monday to Sunday.

Central African Time (CAT) : 05:30 am – 08:30 am.

WildEarth live sunset safari

WildEarth sunset safari live broadcasts are a popular option, too.

Experience the African sunset and watch as some animals take their slumber while others come out to play.

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The African wilderness is one of the most beautiful places to explore.

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Open your eyes for…

Big cats , elephants , hippos , plus many other mammals, birds and reptiles.

What did you spot today?

Feel free to comment below to share your latest wildlife sightings. 😉

Cheers and enjoy your virtual safari!

Bonus : For a truly magical experience, visit Africa and discover its wildlife live and in person. To do so, check out these incredible safari deals and start planning your next adventure.

==> More LIVE webcams

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17 thoughts on “LIVE Safari”

I’ve just found your streaming on You Tube. Didn’t think I’d ever be interested in elephants spraying behind their ears or drinking first, or why young bull calves start to walk at the rear and then, finally, declare their independence and peel off forever. But, there you go! I think the commentary is what makes it so interesting. So, thank you. I’m hooked.

I noticed the Masai Mara park is not participating so much at all.

Any reason?

Hi Jacques,

Safari Live is mainly active in the Masai Mara during the Great Wildebeest Migration. That being said, WildEarth recently decided to stop their broadcasts from the Mara – for now.

“We love the Mara and would have loved to make it a permanent feature in our broadcasts again. However, while our situation is slowly improving, we still need to be very prudent with our spending and the Mara is a very expensive location to operate from.”

More info here: https://wildearth.tv/2020/11/wildearth-will-be-stopping-our-broadcasts-from-the-maasai-mara-for-now

Hope this helps,

How do you ask a question on the live safaris?

Great comment!

The best way to ask your questions is to do it via Twitter, using #SAFARILIVE.

Or you can chat on the safariLIVE stream on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV6HJBZD_hZcIX9JVJ3dCXQ

Beautiful show!! Please continue with Kyle (Tswalu Kalahari) – he is just fantastic. Dylan (Tswalu Kalahari) the attention seeker, was so over the top and preferred being in front of the camera. Would love to see more of Phinda and Mala Mala.

Glad you enjoy it, Angela. 🙂 Feel free to send your feedback directly via:

https://wildearth.tv/contact/

I absolutely love watching live from Djuma, Ngala, Kalahari, Maasai Mara, and Phinda. Love when we get to see from Maasai Mara. I watched big cat diary and follow the marsh pride and all the lion prides through the years. Thank you for all you do, it brings me so much joy.

That’s awesome, Jessica! Thanks for your kind words.

What a fantastic program, thank you so much!

Glad you like it, Darnell! 🙂 The whole team at Safari Live is doing a fantastic job!

What about Wild Dogs? Do you have some of them there?

African wild dogs do indeed live in the area where SafariLIVE operates. Though you will have to be very lucky to spot them: it’s an endangered species after all! Besides, wild dogs are always on the move in search of food.

Game viewing chances are higher in Sabi Sands where they have been seen on several occasions in the past 3 months.

Good luck and happy spotting! 😉

Hello Michael,

If I wanted to make each of the guides a wood burnt picture of their favorite creature to display my appreciation for their devotion to their job. How would I go about that endeavor?

I would need all of their favorite animals except Tristan, he is the Leopard Hunter. The rest have not emphatically stated their precedence several times.

I can send you examples of what I have done if needed.

Keith Cooper

Great idea! 🙂

Best is to contact them directly. You can find all the details here:

https://wildearth.tv/contact

Hello all. Very few comments on cheetah.

Brent, I thought I was looking at James Statham!

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World Wild Schooling

8 Best African Safari Experiences for Your Bucket List

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Long a bucket list travel experience, a safari is a must for wildlife enthusiasts and those looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure. But where should you begin with countless safari parks, lodges, and one-of-a-kind animal experiences to choose from when planning a safari?

While the best safari destinations in Africa offer different experiences with exquisite wildlife and stunning scenery, these are the most impressive African safari experiences worth considering for your trip.

1. Spot The Big Five of Africa

Once known as the five big game animals most dangerous to hunt on the plains of Africa, the famous “Big Five” animals are now a favorite bucket list of impressive animals to spot and photograph while on safari. Seeing the African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, lion, and black rhinoceros on a safari is undoubtedly an experience to write home about.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options here

While the black rhinoceros is traditionally considered a part of the Big Five, these critically endangered animals have nearly been poached out of existence. Most travelers are satisfied with spotting the more numerous white rhinoceros in its place, though this species is also considered near-threatened due to poaching.

If you’re headed out on a South Africa safari in search of the Big Five, Kruger National Park and its surrounding game reserves are some of the best places to spot these animals. Chobe National Park in Botswana, another famous safari destination, is another popular destination where visitors have a good chance of seeing the Big Five, as is the Serengeti and neighboring Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area in Tanzania.

Read also:  Spectacular Natural Wonders Around the World

2. Take a Self-driving Safari in Kruger National Park

Most safari travelers look forward to daily game drives in search of elusive animals. But did you know that you can head out on a game drive sans guide in some safari destinations? While not all areas allow for self-driving safaris, national parks like the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa enable visitors to explore the unfenced areas themselves, offering the unparalleled opportunity to shape your safari experience.

While self-driving safaris may not be something every traveler looks forward to, they can be an incredible way to craft your own independent African safari experience .

End the day at affordable rest camps or camp out under the stars for an authentic encounter with nature. It’s an unforgettable yet budget-friendly experience that should be on your safari bucket list.

Read also:  Must-Visit National Parks Around the World

3. Witness The Great Wildebeest Migration

Considered among the last large-scale migrations of land animals on Earth, the great wildebeest migration is truly a sight to behold. Every year, over 1.5 million wildebeests migrate from the plains of the Serengeti , making a river-crossing circular migration in search of greener grasslands for grazes, traveling in time with rains.

The scale of the movement is truly unprecedented, with herds during the height of the migration sometimes stretching on for up to twenty-five miles running through the plains.

While it’s impossible to predict the exact movements of the herds of these massive animals, as timing varies each year with changing weather patterns, most travelers aim to visit the Serengeti and Maasai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania between mid-July and September at the height of the migration.

Read also:  Safaris Beyond Africa

4. Stay at a Luxury Lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve

While not all safaris have to be expensive experiences, many travelers opt to retreat to luxury lodges to follow full days of game drives. If you’re looking for a luxury safari experience, look no further than the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. It is well known for having some of Africa’s most incredible safari lodges.

Sharing an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, you’ll find much of the same wildlife in Sabi Sands as you will in Kruger, though this private reserve only allows guests at the reserve’s lodges to access the area with guided game drives. This is a great place to spot elusive cheetahs, leopards, and countless other species.

For a luxurious and eco-friendly stay, Cheetah Plains is among the very best destinations to choose from. Boasting private villa accommodations complete with pools, indoor-outdoor living and dining areas, and space for up to eight guests, it’s an incredible spot for a memorable family trip.

Each villa has its designated hospitality team, along with private guides and trackers for second-to-none game drives. The lodge’s ultra-quiet electric safari vehicles make roaming the reserve easy, with some of Africa’s greatest density of big game animals .

Read also:  Thrilling Canyon Hikes Across the World

5. Feel The Mist at Victoria Falls

Marking the border between the southern African nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is a sight to behold. While Victoria Falls is neither the tallest or widest waterfall in the world , its combined width and height earn it the title of the world’s largest waterfall and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The national park surrounding the falls has access points on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides, though most visitors prefer to visit both for the complete experience. You can quickly drive or walk across the bridge connecting the countries to see the falls from both perspectives in just one day. While you can get closer to the falls on the Zambian side of the border, you’ll enjoy more impressive vistas from viewpoints in Zimbabwe.

🏰 Book a Zambezi River Dinner Cruise

After a visit to Victoria Falls, embark on a safari to Zambia, traveling down the Zambezi River. Zambia is among the new trending safari destinations, with South Luangwa National Park considered one of the premiere safari destinations in Africa. While you can embark on classic game drives through South Luangwa National Park, it’s also a well-known destination for walking safaris.

Read also:  Mystical Caves Across the World

6. See The Sossusvlei Sand Dunes

Are you looking to experience another incomparable natural wonder of Africa while you search for wildlife? Consider planning a safari trip to the western African nation of Namibia.

Home to the tallest and most dramatic dunes in the world, the Namib Desert is considered the oldest desert on Earth . You’ll be in awe at the otherworldly landscapes of shifting red sands in this remote corner of the planet.

The most famous dunes in the area are the Sossusvlei Sand Dunes, located towards the southern end of the desert. Home to stunning white salt pans with haunting dead trees and surrounded by towering red dunes, this unique destination is unlike any you’ll see around the world, much less in the rest of Africa.

Nearby Etosha National Park is a haven for wildlife like elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and much more. While you can’t see the whole Big Five here because the Cape Buffalo isn’t present in this sprawling park, it’s an incredible wildlife destination. It is the perfect spot for a safari that combines one-of-a-kind natural beauty with impressive wildlife.

From Sossusvlei, head to Namibia’s Skeleton Coast for a stay at Shipwreck Lodge . The design of this unique eco-lodge mimics the shipwrecks scattered along this desolate yet beautiful coast and is among the best places to stay in Namibia.

Read also:  Magnificent Riverfronts Across the World

7. Spot Wild Rhinoceroses at Phinda Private Game Reserve

After decades of severe poaching, rhinoceros populations remain endangered across Africa, making them one of the most challenging Big Five animals to spot. White rhinoceros are more numerous, with around 15,000 living in the wild today; black rhinos have been nearly poached out of existence. However, recent conservation efforts have successfully raised numbers to approximately 5,000 .

Rhinos exist in various national parks and game reserves throughout Africa, including Kruger National Park, the Serengeti, and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. However, one of the best places to spot these endangered animals is Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Known for its rhinoceros conversation programs, Phinda Private Game Reserve offers a great chance to get up close and personal with these incredible giants.

Phinda Private Game Reserve is also the flagship location of andBeyond , one of the most well-respected safari providers in the world. The reserve boasts six luxury lodges and over 70,000 acres of private land; its location along the Indian Ocean means you’ll find seven distinct ecosystems within the park, making for an incredible array of wildlife and record populations of rhinoceros.

The unique coastal environment of this private game reserve also makes it a birdwatching paradise, boastings nearly 400 species of birds. Why not add a few days to your safari itinerary in this stunning spot?

Read also:  Amazing Adventure Travel Destinations

8. Visit Wild Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda

There is no more special and memorable wildlife encounter in Africa than trekking through the Virungas Mountains to come face to face with mountain gorillas. This endangered species lives only at high altitudes, with most found among the extinct volcanoes along the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and in the Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.

Standing between four and five and a half feet tall, these animals are impressive and intimidating. Encountering them in the wild is considered to be a transformative experience among those who have seen them. With populations of this endangered species dwindling, it can be challenging to spot them. Though expert local guides know the gorilla populations and individual animals well, even calling them by name.

For the best chance of spotting these impressive creatures, book your stay at Wilderness Bisate in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This gorgeous and eco-friendly lodge in the park’s heart promises a luxury stay and expert-led excursions you’ll never forget. Plus, the views of the extinct volcanic cones that give the park its name are breathtaking.

Read also:  Hidden Gems Across the World

Your Safari Experience

Whether you’d love to witness herds of wildebeest swarming the plains of the Serengeti or towering dunes hiding age-old salt pans, there are endless bucket-list-worthy experiences to choose from when planning your safari trip. While each experience is unique, it will whet your appetite for even more travel.

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks .

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Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana . She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

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Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study

Elephant rides took place at african lion safari in hamilton until 2019.

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The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in Hamilton to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.

The committee is studying a government bill that would prohibit new captivity and breeding of elephants and great apes without a license that shows it is for conservation, science or the animal's welfare.

Conservative Sen. Don Plett says the bill would have the biggest impact on the African Lion Safari, a drive-through zoo in Hamilton's ward 13 in the Dundas Valley which is home to 17 elephants.

He says it is offensive that senators don't want to take the time to visit in person before passing a bill that could kill a family-owned business.

Sen. Marty Klyne from the Progressive Senators Group, says he doesn't agree with spending $50,000 of taxpayer money to get a one-sided view of elephant captivity, and that the cost would be even higher to also visit an elephant sanctuary for comparison.

Klyne says the science on the impact of captivity on elephants is clear and the bill must pass.

Elephant rides at safari stopped in 2019 after injury

In 2023, CBC News reported that African Lion Safari was one of 55 companies that received  Ontario taxpayer money for tourism losses during the pandemic.

The zoo received the maximum grant of $695,000, as did other high-profile tourism attractions, such as Canada's Wonderland.

Elephant rides took place at African Lion Safari in Flamborough, Ont., until 2019, when a trainer was injured by an elephant named Maggie. 

• CBC Investigates African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada?
• Canadian zoo accreditation body bans elephant rides. Advocate says change is overdue

That attack was the subject of a CBC investigation , which found CAZA continued to allow the rides a decade after its American counterpart, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, halted the practice because of safety concerns for staff who work with elephants.

CAZA announced it had banned elephant rides for its members in December of 2019.

With files from CBC News

Related Stories

• Sask. senator hopes to see bill passed that would limit new captivity of elephants, apes
• These companies got Ontario taxpayer money for tourism losses during pandemic

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Juneteenth Digital Toolkit

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free.

This day came to be known as Juneteenth , now officially a federal holiday. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate, gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future.

Enjoy the Tastes, Sounds and Experiences of Juneteenth

Juneteenth celebrates African American resilience and achievement, while aiding in the preservation of those historical narratives that promoted racial and personal advancement since Freedom Day. Join the museum’s Juneteenth celebration – spanning the entire month of June – and embrace the rich history of Freedom Day each week. 

Juneteenth and the Color Red

The Juneteenth 2023 Red List Notebook is among Juneteenth commemorative collection available in the museum store. 

Each year when my family celebrates Juneteenth, our flyers boldly request that each quest bring something "Red." We then add examples, like red soda pop, watermelon, apples, or even red beans. Folks bring these items without much thinking about their origin. In fact, the roots of the symbolic efficacy of the color red can be traced to West Africa, where it has been associated with strength, spirituality, life, and death. Furthermore, culinary historians, trace the color to certain foods that traveled to the Americas along with the Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, such as hibiscus and the kola nut. 

So, this year at Juneteenth, as you take a long swallow from a cool drink of hibiscus iced tea, or red punch, remember the ancestors who sacrificed, remember the blood shed in the struggle, remember the collective strength of people of the African diaspora, and finally remember the spirituality and transcendent joy that enabled us to overcome. ~  Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian

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On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day came to be known as #Juneteenth, now officially a federal holiday. Celebrate with @NMAAHC: nmaach.si.edu/Juneteenth

Do you know the story of #Juneteenth? Learn more and join in the celebration with @NMAAHC: nmaahc.si.edu/Juneteenth

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Children & Youth Resources

Discover Juneteenth resources to share with young children.

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Juneteenth: A Time of Celebration, Reflection

Join us in-person and online for our Juneteenth programming highlighting community, culture and freedom.  

Discover Educational Resources

Press Play on History: Juneteenth

Connect songs to themes of the historical experience of African Americans and Juneteenth and create a playlist through this Learning Lab activity.

Juneteenth: Connecting the Historic to the Now

Scholars discuss the historical and current political significance of the holiday.

Explore More

As you celebrate Juneteenth this year, the museum offers additional resources to help you embrace the rich history of Freedom Day.

Juneteenth: Cause for Celebration

This 1925 film, recorded by the Rev. Solomon Sir Jones, captures a Juneteenth celebration in Beaumont, Texas. Learn more about Reconstruction, rights and retaliation by visiting our Searchable Museum.

Embrace a Rich History 

Watch museum videos that celebrate culture, family and freedom. 

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NMAAHC Oral History Specialist Kelly Navies talks about the history of Juneteenth.

Rochelle Rice sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

What is Juneteenth, and why is it important? - Karlos K. Hill and Soraya Field Fiorio

Juneteenth Reading List

Check out our museum's top picks and explore the books on our expert's must-read list — curated just for you. 

Titles for Younger Readers

A IS FOR ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE A JOYFUL ABC BOOK

A IS FOR ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE: A JOYFUL ABC BOOK Anna Forgerson Hindley and the National Museum of African American History and Culture This alphabet board book celebrates what makes us unique as individuals and connects us as humans. This lively and colorful book introduces young readers to 26 key traits they can explore and cultivate as they grow. The book supports understanding and development of each child’s healthy racial identity, the joy in human diversity and inclusion, a sense of justice, and children’s capacity to act for their own and others’ fair treatment.

Our Skin A First Conversation About Race

OUR SKIN: A FIRST CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli The premiere book in the First Conversations board book series, Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race, offers children and adults in their lives supportive examples for holding honest conversations about race and racism told in a read-aloud format. Backed by research in early childhood development, this vibrantly illustrated picture book equips readers with clear language, and historical context to learn about skin color, race, and racism and gives examples of ways young children can use their unique voices to stand for fairness.

Get Up Stand Up

GET UP, STAND UP Bob Marley and Cedella Marley This children’s book adaptation of the empowering Bob Marley lyrics, Get Up, Stand Up, encourages young readers to use their voices to stand up for themselves and others. Through the perspective of a young girl’s day at school, this lyrical story showcases how injustice can appear in children’s everyday lives and each child’s unique and collective power to fight against it.

Our Children Can Soar

OUR CHILDREN CAN SOAR Michelle Cook Our fight for racial justice is one that has been carried on by people for generations. Through beautiful illustrations, this rhythmically told picture book celebrates the diverse pursuits and accomplishments of Black leaders throughout history and showcases how each generation's work enables the following to reach new heights.

Freedom, We Sing

JUNETEENTH FOR MAZIE Floyd Cooper Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.

Juneteenth for Mazie

Ruth and the Green Book

RUTH AND THE GREEN BOOK Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss Ruth and the Green Book is the story of one Black family’s trip from Chicago to Alabama by car in the late 1940s. Along the way they encounter prejudice, but they also discover The Green Book, a real guide to accommodations which was published for decades to aid African American travelers as they faced prejudice on the roads across the country.

TAR BEACH Faith Ringgold Cassie Louise Lightfoot has a dream: to be free to go wherever she wants for the rest of her life. One night, up on “tar beach,” the rooftop of her family’s Harlem apartment building, her dreams come true. The stars lift her up, and she flies over the city, claiming the buildings and the city as her own.

Love Twelve Miles Long

LOVE TWELVE MILES LONG Glenda Armand This story, inspired by the life of Fredrick Douglas, imagines a poignant bedtime conversation between a young Fredrick Douglas and his mother about her twelve-mile journey to see him. Through the book, readers follow the life of a family separated by slavery and explore questions about resilience, the injustice of slavery, and the hope and promise of freedom.  

ABCs of Black History

ABCs OF BLACK HISTORY Rio Cortez Letter by letter, celebrate a story of big ideas––P is for Power, S is for Science and Soul -- of significant moments––G is for Great Migration-- and of iconic figures––H is for Zora Neale Hurston, X is for Malcom X. In addition to rhyming text, the book includes back matter with information on the events, places, and people mentioned in the poem, from Mae Jemison to W. E. B. Du Bois, Fannie Lou Hamer to Sam Cooke, and the Little Rock Nine to DJ Kool Herc.

Harriet Tubman Conductor on the Underground Railroad

HARRIET TUBMAN: CONDUCTOR ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Ann Petry Harriet Tubman was born a slave and dreamed of being free. She was willing to risk everything–including her own life–to see that dream come true. After her daring escape, Harriet became a conductor on the secret Underground Railroad, helping others make the dangerous journey to freedom.

Stamped (for kids_ Racism, Antiracism, and You

STAMPED (FOR KIDS): RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU. Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi Adapted from the groundbreaking bestseller Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, this book takes readers on a journey from present to past and back again. Kids will discover where racist ideas came from, identify how they impact America today, and meet those who have fought racism with antiracism. Along the way, they’ll learn how to identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their own lives.

Brown Girl Dreaming

BROWN GIRL DREAMING Jaqueline Woodson A memoir in verse about what it was like to grow up in the 1960s and 1970s living with the remnants of Jim Crow and a growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement.

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Facts about juneteenth.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture’s curator of women’s history Angela Tate and museum specialist and oral historian Kelly Navies provide history and insight on Juneteenth.

The Historical Background of Juneteenth:

​​​​​​​ Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian: “Throughout the war, Texas remained largely free of the presence of Union troops. A year after General Granger’s announcement, Texans celebrated the first Juneteenth. However, African Americans had to overcome many challenges in the years after learning of their ‘freedom.’ Many states, including Texas, passed stringent laws curtailing the movement and actions of the newly freed men and women. Those in power also attempted to thwart the observance of Juneteenth by denying large groups of African Americans access to land on which to celebrate. In response to this strategy, in 1872, Black Houstonians, under the leadership of Rev. Jack Yates, a formerly enslaved man, formed the Colored People and Emancipation Park Association to purchase a plot of land that could be used for Juneteenth celebrations. This plot of land became known as Emancipation Park and throughout the era of segregation it was the only public park open to African Americans in Houston, Texas. In other towns throughout the South, similar strategies were used to secure safe spaces for Juneteenth observance."

The Meaning of Juneteenth Through Social Justice Movements

Juneteenth gained popularity during the Civil Rights Movement with the increased emphasis on Black history and empowerment. At the end of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, held on the National Mall, there was a ‘Solidarity Day,’ held on Juneteenth. Many who attended had never heard of Juneteenth and subsequently took their new knowledge to their hometowns across the United States. The significance of Juneteenth is part of a continuum of moments where African Americans have advocated for their full participation in American citizenship and commanded the maintenance of the memory of our history and culture in the face of resistance and racism.

What is the significance of Juneteenth?

Angela Tate, museum curator of women’s history : “The holiday did not exist when Frederick Douglass delivered his stirring speech about Independence Day. By the turn of the twentieth century, Black leaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois focused efforts on commemorating anniversaries of Emancipation Day (1913, 1933). Black History Month grew out of Negro History Week, which Carter G. Woodson founded February 7, 1926, to commemorate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Martin Luther King’s birthday was not made a federal holiday until 1983. The significance of Juneteenth is, thus, part of a continuum of moments where African Americans have advocated for their full participation in American citizenship and commanded the maintenance of the memory of our history and culture in the face of resistance and racism.”

How is Juneteenth celebrated?

Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian : “Juneteenth is celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the United States and world, but consistent themes are an emphasis on family, freedom, activism, and resilience. Most communities celebrate with a feast centered around a barbeque. Often there are historic-themed performances and poetry readings. You might also see African drumming and dancing. The color red is an important symbol of the sacrifices made in the past, and many people wear red and bring red side dishes to the feast, like red beans, watermelon, and red soda pop.”

Why is the day called Juneteenth?

Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian : “The holiday’s name Juneteenth is a combination of the month of June and the 19th day, representing the date in 1865 General Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with a force of almost 2000 troops to inform the enslaved African Americans in Texas that they were now “free.” June + 19 = Juneteenth.”

How has the holiday evolved over the years?

Angela Tate, museum curator of women’s history : “As with many things involving African American history and culture, Juneteenth is not without its own debates and detractors. Recent efforts to generate support for making it a national holiday have been met with resistance. Several Black Texans have been critical of how the state and Southern culture have been excised from the conversations and commemorations. Chaédria LaBouvier, the first Black curator at the Guggenheim Museum, tweeted in late 2020 about the lack of specificity when discussing Juneteenth and the Southern roots of African American culture: 

‘Histories, practices, etc that traceably originate or were developed as we currently iterate them in places that we are not living descendants of said history or ppl — we are doing the toxic, colonial thing to each other that has been done to us.’

“This sharp reminder of Juneteenth’s cultural roots is echoed in a letter to the editor sent to the Atlanta Daily World in 1983, when Texas State Representative Al Edwards reminded Atlanta readers that ‘Juneteenth celebrations originated here in Texas...In 1979 the 66th Legislature passed and the Governor signed my H.B. 1016 which going into effect next year made Emancipation Day an official state holiday.’ When digging even further into Black newspapers, the evidence of Texas being at the heart of Juneteenth is clear: newspaper articles from the first half of the twentieth century characterize it as a strictly Texas holiday, whereas in the second half of twentieth century, it has flourished in a variety of cities, with Los Angeles being the most prevalent city of celebration.

“This is no coincidence: California was the destination for African Americans from Texas and Louisiana in the 1940s-70s, undoubtedly drawn by the continuous sunshine and the similar ethnic populations (it was split amongst black, white, and brown, as opposed to the black and white binary in the rest of the South). However, even Black newspapers from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento reveal how often Juneteenth was merely an excuse to gather over food, drinks, and music. At one celebration held in 1988, the usual red soda and funk was swapped out for finger foods as guests listened to classical music! Later, in the early 2000s, Black leaders saw in Juneteenth a piece of the overall push for reparations and federal acknowledgement and redress for the harms of slavery and Jim Crow.”

What is the significance of the color red and Juneteenth?

Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian : Each year when my family celebrates Juneteenth, our flyers boldly request that each quest bring something “Red.” We then add examples, like red soda pop, watermelon, apples, or even red beans. Folks bring these items without much thinking about their origin. In fact, the roots of thesymbolic efficacy of the color Red can be traced to West Africa, where it has been associated with strength, spirituality, life, and death. Furthermore, culinary historians, trace the color to certain foods that traveled to the Americas along with the Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, such as hibiscus and the Kola nut. So, this year at Juneteenth, as you take a long swallow from a cool drink of hibiscus iced tea, or red punch, remember the ancestors who sacrificed, remember the blood shed in the struggle, remember the collective strength of people of the African diaspora, and finally remember the spirituality and transcendent joy that enabled us to overcome.

Test Your Knowledge: Crossword Answer Key

Savor the Flavors of Juneteenth

Louis armstrong's red beans and rice, hibiscus and ginger sweet tea, commemorative merchandise.

Help Represent Juneteenth

Shop this limited-edition collection that honors Juneteenth as celebrated for over 150 years. Purchases support the museum’s artistic, community and education programs.

Transcribe Freedmen's Bureau Records

Learn about the post-Civil War transition of enslaved people by volunteering to transcribe the records of the Freedmen's Bureau, which is accessible online, through the Smithsonian Transcription Center.

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