Let Us Commemorate Juneteenth
Juneteenth is the official name of federal holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day, also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and various other names. It is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
Juneteenth is an important day in American history. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when the last enslaved people in the United States learned that they had been freed, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation officially set them free.
The day has its importance so as to help everyone learn more about Juneteenth’s history, and to honour its cultural significance, I came up with a list of four books to read and a documentary to watch to celebrate and learn more about this day.
Four powerful books suitable for adults, teens, and kids alike to better understand Juneteenth.
1) Freedom’s Gifts: A Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wesley
As a young Black girl, June loves celebrating her people’s emancipation on Juneteenth. But her cousin Lillie is used to celebrating freedom on the Fourth of July. Will June be able to teach Lillie the importance of Juneteenth during their family’s celebratory picnic?
2) All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
This picture book tells the story of the first Juneteenth through the eyes of a little girl who is freed on that day. The book also includes notes from the author and illustrator as well as a timeline of notable dates plus a glossary.
3) Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Coates writes a letter to his son about his life as a Black man, his fears and dreams for his son, the nature of the Black body in America, and his aspirations for the Black community.
4) The Brightest Day: A Juneteenth Historical Romance Anthology by Kianna Alexander, Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart, and Piper Huguley
From the day enslaved people were freed to a Juneteenth-themed cruise. From an out-of-wedlock pregnancy in the early 20th century to boxing rings during the Civil Rights Movement. Each story in this collection depicts love and Black joy during times that were filled with trauma and hatred.
A documentary that brings history to life
If you don’t feel like reading, how about watching this documentary to deepen your understanding of African American history:
13th was released in 2016 and directed by Ava DuVernay. Available to watch on
Ava DuVernay’s 13th explores the history of mass incarceration in America. In a series of interviews, lawyers and journalists describe how Black people were arrested for minor crimes after the Civil War as another form of enslavement. A must watch!
I hope this list will help you learn more about this day and its importance.
“I freed a thousand slaves, and I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” Harriet Tubman
Happy Juneteenth!
Originally published at https://medium.com on June 15, 2022.
