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 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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Juneteenth by Van G. Garrett. 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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Juneteenth: Freedom Day. 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 by Lisa A Crayton. 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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Juneteenth by Emily Dolbear. 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 Craft
Tues. June 18, 3:30 p.m. (Teens)
Come make a bracelet or button to celebrate Juneteenth.
Story Time: Juneteenth Edition
Thurs. June 20, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 1-5)
Children and caregivers can read, laugh, and sing at this story time led by library staff.
- Archer Branch
Weave a Juneteenth Celebration
Sat. June 15, 2 p.m. (All Ages)
Learn to weave with the rich colors of Kente Cloth from Ghana. Celebrate freedom with us!
ArtSpace: Printmaking with Turbado Marabou
Fri. June 21, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (All Ages)
Join local artist, Turbado Marabou, to explore the creative world of printmaking and take home your very own printed design.
Celebrate Juneteenth: Create Your Own Paper Story Quilt
Sat. June 29, 2:30 p.m. (All Ages)
Enjoy some family fun exploring the joys of quilting and create a paper quilt expressing freedom and joy inspired by African American quilt work. Supplies will be provided.
- Cone Park Branch
Kids Craft: A Juneteenth Celebration
Fri. June 14, 3 p.m. (All Ages)
Join us as we celebrate the coming of Juneteenth by making Perler Bead magnets.
Juneteenth Display
Branch Display for June (All Ages)
Look for our adult book display for Juneteenth and Emancipation Day.
- Hawthorne Branch
Story Time: Juneteenth Celebration
Thurs. June 13, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 3-5)
Join us for fun with art, music, science, stories, and more at this story time celebrating Juneteenth!
Juneteenth Book Discussion
Fri. June 14, 4:30 p.m. (Adults)
Join us to discuss the history of Juneteenth and the books and poems about emancipation that we find powerful.
Hawthorne Hub: Celebrating Juneteenth
Tues. June 18, 3 p.m. (Ages 6-11)
Join us for a paper chain craft celebrating Juneteenth.
- Headquarters Library
Juneteenth Crafts
Tues. June 18, 3 p.m. (Ages 6-11)
Come make crafts celebrating freedom and Juneteenth!
Juneteenth Display
Branch Display for June (All Ages)
Come in and see the Juneteenth display on the Foundation Room wall.
- High Springs Branch
Story Time: Juneteenth Celebration
Wed. June 12, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 0-5)
Read, laugh, and sing with us! Enjoy rhymes, puppets, and interactive play.
Juneteenth: Acknowledgment & Celebration
Tues. June 18, 4 p.m. (Teens and Adults)
Join us as we present the movie The Tuskegee Airmen in acknowledgement and celebration of the federal holiday of Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the event when Union soldiers ushered in the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865. Thus freeing all those who remained in slavery.
Juneteenth Display
Branch Display for June (All Ages)
Come in and see the Juneteenth display.
- Library Partnership Branch
The Road to Juneteenth
Branch Display for June, (All Ages)
Take a walk through the history that began with the Emancipation Proclamation with “The Road to Juneteenth” display installation.
- Micanopy Branch
Celebrate Juneteenth with a good movie!
Tues. June 18, 2 p.m. (Teens and Adults)
Come watch a movie about a former beauty queen and single mom as she prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the Miss Juneteenth pageant.
Juneteenth Display
Branch Display for June (All Ages)
Come in and see the Juneteenth display.
- Millhopper Branch
Juneteenth: Celebrate Freedom
Mon. June 17, 3 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.
Juneteenth Story Time
Tues. June 18, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 1-5)
It’s Juneteenth Story Time! Interactive fun with books, stories, songs, and other activities. Perfect for preschoolers and toddlers.
- Newberry Branch
Story Time: Juneteenth Celebration
Thur. June 13, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 2-5)
In the leadup to Juneteenth, bring your children to this special Story Time to learn about Juneteenth and celebrate freedom. We will have a guest presenter reading books and leading activities this week.
Juneteenth Display
Branch Display for June (All Ages)
Come in and see the Juneteenth display.
- Tower Road Branch
Celebrating Juneteenth with Crafts
Tues. June 18, 12:30 p.m. (Ages 6-11)
We will be making Juneteenth flags, confetti poppers, and have fun Juneteenth worksheet bundles.
Music and Movement: Juneteenth Celebration
Tues. June 18, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 1-5)
Come celebrate freedom with your little ones, featuring our friends from the Ministries of Expressive Song & Dance!
- Waldo Branch
Juneteenth Story Time
Sat. June 15, 10:30 a.m. (Ages 3-5)
Read, sing, and play during Story Time.
Junior Book Club: Celebrating Juneteenth
Sat. June 15, 3 p.m. (Ages 10-12)
This month to celebrate Juneteenth, we will read Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, by Alice Duncan and This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges.
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!