Understanding the Significance of Juneteenth

Jun 28, 2024

1 min

Alan J. Singer

Alan Singer, professor of education, is featured in a USA Today article about the historical significance and observation of Juneteenth.


The article notes that Juneteenth marks the day the last African American slaves were notified that they had been freed from their masters, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.


Dr. Singer said that during this time, an estimated 250,000 people were kept enslaved in Texas despite the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan 1, 1863.


While Juneteenth is becoming more widely known and understood, Dr. Singer explained that there was a time when Black History was not widely discussed within the educational system.



“I didn’t learn it (until) I was an adult, really (in the) 1990s, when as a teacher, I started studying more, so I (could) incorporate it into my lessons,” he said. “I went to City College in the 1960s, and they had first introduced a course called ‘American Negro History’ and that was the first time I had learned about any of these things. I took the course because I became a political activist while at City College and I needed to know more about the African American civil rights struggles.”


Alan Singer is a Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology. He is available to speak with media - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Connect with:
Alan J. Singer

Alan J. Singer

Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology

Alan Singer specializes in social studies education and United States history.

Social Studies EducationUnited States HistoryHistory of SlaveryTeaching race. ethnicity and class

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Hofstra University

1 min

Bill Introduced to Make President’s Birthday a Federal Holiday

Dr. Meena Bose, Hofstra University professor of political science, executive dean of the Public Policy and Public Service program, and director of the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, was interviewed by the Oswego County Palladium-Times about a bill introduced by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-Cleveland) that would make President Donald Trump’s birthday a national holiday. The effort to make Trump’s birthday a holiday isn’t necessarily surprising, but the controversial nature of his presidency means it will probably never happen, said Dr. Bose.

1 min

Don’t Write Off Hochul Just Yet

Lawrence Levy, associate vice president and executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, wrote an opinion piece for the Times Union: “Commentary: Don’t write off Hochul just yet.” He was also interviewed by Newsday about Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado jumping into the governor’s race. Levy said Delgado has to be viewed as a “deep underdog.” His name recognition is low and Hochul already has $16 million in campaign funds, to Delgado’s $969,000. “Delgado has spent a lot of time traveling the state as lieutenant governor but I’m not sure what kind of network he built up,” Levy said.

View all posts