Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating the true ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led Union Soldiers into Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended. He read to the people General Orders Number 3, which stated that all slaves were freed. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official on January 1, 1863. Therefore, while slavery had legally ended at that point, it only ended in actual practice on the day of the first Juneteenth.
Juneteenth has been celebrated as a holiday as early as 1866, though it only became a Federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021. The name comes from taking "June" and "nineteenth" and squeezing those two words together. Historically, Juneteenth has been celebrated in a variety of ways. Many celebrations focus on education and self-improvement. Celebrations often include: storytelling, poetry readings, music, barbeques, parades, and even Miss Juneteenth pageants.
While Alachua County Library District will be closed on the day of the holiday itself, we can support you in celebrating Juneteenth through our collection and programs. Our collection has nonfiction materials, novels and story books, and even cookbooks that explore the themes and meanings of Juneteenth. Our programs are in-person events where you can join with staff and like-minded members of the community to craft, engage in literary activity, and all sorts of other fun possibilities.
From the collection:
- Youth Collection
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Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
Sis Goose is a beloved member of Luli's family, despite the fact that she was born a slave. But the family is harboring a terrible secret. And when Union soldiers arrive on their Texas plantation to announce that slaves have been declared free for nearly two years, Sis Goose is horrified to learn that the people she called family have lied to her for so long. She runs away—but her newly found freedom has tragic consequences.
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An African American family attends a modern-day Juneteenth parade in Galveston, Texas (the birthplace of the holiday). Text includes lines from "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
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Juneteenth For Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Little Mazie wants the freedom to stay up late, but her father explains what freedom really means in the story of Juneteenth, and how her ancestors celebrated their true freedom.
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In this new 2022 high-definition program, learn all about Juneteenth, the holiday commemorating the end of slavery by marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned that they were free. Why did President Joe Biden declare Juneteenth a federal holiday? How is it celebrated? What is the history of the holiday?
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Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Across the country, people observe the day with speeches, poetry readings, festivals, picnics, street fairs, and family reunions. It is a day for people to come together and continue working toward equality. Readers will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.
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Learn the basics about Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, and how the holiday celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.
- Adult Collection
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Miss Juneteenth. Starring Alexis Chikaeze and Kendrick Sampson
Turquoise, a former beauty queen and single mom, prepares her 15-year-old daughter for the "Miss Juneteenth" pageant, despite her daughter's obvious lack of enthusiasm. While other former Miss Juneteenth winners have gone on to have successful careers due to the attached scholarship, Turquoise's education was derailed by the birth of Kai, which forced her to drop out of college. Will this time be different?
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Juneteenth: The Story Behind the Celebration by Edward. T. Cotham
This is the first scholarly book to delve into the history behind Juneteenth. Using decades of research in archives around the nation, this book helps separate myth from reality and tells the story behind the celebration in a way that provides new understanding and appreciation for the event.
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Juneteenth Texas: Essays in African-American Folklore
Juneteenth Texas explores African-American folkways and traditions from both African-American and white perspectives. Included are descriptions and classifications of different aspects of African-American folk culture in Texas; explorations of songs and stories and specific performers such as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Manse Lipscomb, and Bongo Joe; and a section giving resources for the further study of African Americans in Texas.
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Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook For Juneteenth and Black Celebrations by Nicole A. Taylor
In 1866, Juneteenth celebrations were celebrated with music, dance, and BBQs. Taylor bridges the traditional African American table and twenty-first century flavors with stories and recipes that will inspire parties to salute the holiday, or to help you create moments to savor joy all year round.
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On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
The essential, sweeping story of Juneteenth's integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Texas native. Interweaving American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon-Reed, the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas in the 1850s, recounts the origins of Juneteenth and explores the legacies of the holiday that remain with us.
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Juneteenth: A Novel by Ralph Ellison
In Washington, D.C., in the 1950s, Adam Sunraider, a race-baiting senator from a New England state, is mortally wounded by an assassin's bullet while making a speech on the Senate floor. To the shock of all who think they know him, Sunraider calls out from his deathbed for Hickman, an old black minister, to be brought to his side. The Reverend is summoned; the two are left alone. Out of their conversation, and the inner rhythms of memories whose weight has been borne in silence for many long years, a story emerges.
The Library District will also recognize this year’s anniversary with events including craft programs, special story times, ArtSpace, and a book discussion group. Your preferred branch is also likely to incorporate Juneteenth elements in the form of displays and thematically inclusive books and songs in early literacy programs.
All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for some programs and seats can be reserved at www.aclib.us/events or by calling your preferred branch. The full schedule of programs is as follows:
- Alachua Branch
Juneteenth: "Jiteenth" Art Experience with Emmanuel Payne
Wednesday, June 4, 3:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. (Ages 6-11)
Draw along with digital cartoonist Mr. Payne for a fun interactive Art experience inspired by the Juneteenth holiday.Juneteenth: "Jiteenth" Art Experience with Emmanuel Payne
Wednesday, June 21, 1 p.m.- 2 p.m. (Ages 6-11)
Draw along with digital cartoonist Mr. Payne for a fun interactive Art experience inspired by the Juneteenth holiday.
- Cone Park Branch
Juneteenth Movie Screen
Wednesday, June 18, 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. (Teens)
Come celebrate Juneteenth by watching the movie Summer of Soul!
- Millhopper Branch
Juneteenth Celebration: The Art of PyroFuzz
Saturday, June 14, 2 p.m.- 3 p.m. (Adults)
Join us for an electrifying performance by local artist Rayvon "Purple Kloud" Rollins.Juneteenth Story Time
Tues. June 17, 10:30 a.m.- 11 a.m. (Ages 1-5)
It’s Juneteenth Story Time! Interactive fun with books, stories, songs, and other activities. Perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.Juneteenth: Create and Celebrate!
Tuesday, June 17, 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. (Teens)
Join us as we learn about the history and importance of Juneteenth, and then create a craft in the colors of Juneteenth. All supplies will be provided. Registration required.
- Waldo Branch
Summer at the Library: ArtSpace Drawing/Journaling
Thursday, June 12, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. (All Ages)
Join us for Juneteenth themed arts and crafts. Registration required.Summer at the Library: ArtSpace Drawing/Journaling
Thursday, June 12, 4 p.m.-5 p.m. (All Ages)
Join us for Juneteenth themed arts and crafts. Registration required.
Organizations in our community are also hosting free events to celebrate the special day. Check out the calendar, use "Juneteenth" as your keyword, and find more than fifteen local events that are celebrating the big day!