Juneteenth marks a very important day in American history. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and around 2,000 Union troops ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas, freeing the final 250,000 former slaves.
Now celebrated as a National Day of Observance, Richmond Public Library wishes to honor its cultural significance by providing a recommended list of resources to learn more about the holiday as well as a curated collection of YA books for young adult readers to celebrate many of the important messages of the holiday. Told through Black voices, and featuring themes of Black History, Black Justice, Black Resistance, and Black Resilience, these books celebrate not only Black Culture and Black Identity, but also serve as a reminder of Black Humanity and the ongoing fight for equity, inclusion, and belonging for Black Americans.
Online Resources
- NPR Article: “Slavery Didn’t End On Juneteenth. What You Should Know About This Important Day“
- New York Times Article: “Five Ways to Learn About Juneteenth With The New York Times“
- Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Article: “Juneteenth“
- The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Article: “Honoring Juneteenth with Documents from the Gilder Lehrman Collection“
