Juneteenth is also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Emancipation Day,” or “Freedom Day.” The holiday is the oldest national holiday commemorating the end of slavery. Traditionally, the day was celebrated by praying and bringing families together. In 1872, a group of Black ministers and businessmen purchased 10 acres of land, which they turned into Emancipation Park, a place to hold Juneteenth celebrations. Today it is still celebrated within families, with gatherings and food, but it’s also celebrated on a larger scale in many cities with parades, freedom walks, and festivals, especially since it became a federal holiday last year. There is a Miss Juneteenth competition that had been held on the local level for years, but in 2020 the first national competition was held in Memphis, Tennessee, where Saniya Gay won the title. While Juneteenth has been celebrated in some communities for years, it has sadly been relatively unknown in much of the country. Here are some books that will help people of all ages learn more about Juneteenth, from children to adults. This Juneteenth, I hope you can find some time off work so you can read more about our newest federal holiday. If you want to learn more about African American history, check out these 15 nonfiction Black history books and 15 new-ish Black history books for kids.
