Thursday is Juneteenth! The holiday is observed on June 19 each year to celebrate Black history and freedom in the United States. Juneteenth dates back to 1865 when the U.S. Army arrived in Texas and declared the last people that were still enslaved to be free –  more than two years after, the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln.

Juneteenth has long been celebrated by different states, and former President Joe Biden officially recognized Juneteenth National Independence Day Act as a federal holiday in 2021. The Current will be celebrating the holiday with special songs throughout the day on Thursday, but let’s start a little bit early by creating a Juneteenth playlist.

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs that celebrate Juneteenth would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Nina Simone - To Be Young, Gifted and Black
The Staple Singeres - Freedom Highway
Yasiin Bey - Black Jesus
Jimi Hendrix - Freedom
En Vogue - Free Your Mind
Arrested Development - People Everyday
Outkast - Rosa Parks