Entry bubble Celebrate Juneteenth Today!

By: Stephanie | June 19, 2009 | Category: General

I must admit that I had never heard of Juneteenth until I started working at USA.gov. In researching dates for the federal web portal, I noticed that the commemoration of Juneteenth popped up in a number of Library of Congress and Smithsonian webpages. I became intrigued to learn more, which I did. So I was especially excited to substitute for GovGab today, on the anniversary of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth image from the Anacostia MuseumJuneteenth—which is a combination of the words "June" and "nineteenth"—is a celebration to commemorate June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers finally arrived in Galveston, Texas, to spread the word that President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years before. The Library of Congress says the reason for the delay was the fact that news traveled so slowly in those days.

As the news spread, former slaves celebrated with festive foods, music, dancing, singing, games, and stories. Juneteenth has been celebrated each year since 1865. In 1979, Texas became the first state to proclaim Emancipation Day (Juneteenth) an official state holiday. Today, more than half of the states in the U.S. officially observe Juneteenth each year. People celebrate with parades, festivals, and cookouts.

Would you like to find out where Juneteenth events are in your state? Visit your state on this map for a list of local events.

I'd love to hear from any of you who celebrate Juneteenth! Tell me how you commemorate this special day.

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Entry bubble Celebrate Child Health Day!

By: Stephanie | October 06, 2008 | Category: Health

Child Health Day 2008 logoThe other day, I was startled to notice my 14-month-old watching me while I ate an apple. When I peeled it and handed it to him, his eyes lit up as he bit into it like a big kid (until he accidentally dropped it and our dog got it, and that was it).

Children watch us and emulate us in so many ways, not the least of which are our eating habits and level of physical activity. Today is the 80th annual Child Health Day, and this year’s theme is “Eat Healthy and Be Active for a Healthy Future.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that one in six U.S. children between the ages of two and 19 is overweight. In less than 30 years, obesity has more than doubled among children ages 2-5 and more than tripled among children ages 6-12 and adolescents ages 13-19.

Being overweight is a risk factor for serious health consequences such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

HHS, which sponsors the presidentially proclaimed Child Health Day, urges adults to take the surgeon general’s pledge to:

  • Be a role model by making healthy choices for myself.
  • Help children be physically active through everyday play and participation in sports.
  • Support children’s healthy eating habits.

You can celebrate Child Health Day by following some tips for you and your children on eating healthy and being active. And be sure to check out the child obesity prevention checklists for parents and other caregivers, schools and teachers, and communities.

The Federal Citizen Information Center also offers information on helping overweight children become healthier, and USA.gov offers links to child health information for parents.

Do you try to lead a healthy lifestyle as a role model for children?

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