Juneteenth

Dearest Bookworms,

Today is Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day when more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state of Texas were freed. While there a multiple Freedom Days throughout the states, Juneteenth has become the federal marker for commemorating the end of Slavery in the US. Below you'll find books that touch on topics ranging from: Juneteeth; Emancipation Proclomation; Racial Inequality/Equality along with a link to the an article from the National Museum of African American History & Culture discussing the legacy of Juneteenth.

The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth National Museum of African American History & Culture

1. Juneteenth : the story behind the celebration by Edward T Cotham Juneteenth has been touted as a national day celebrating the end of slavery. Observances from coast to coast have turned this event into part of the national conversation about race, slavery, and how Americans understand, acknowledge, and explain what has been called the national 'original sin.' But, why Juneteenth? Where did this celebration--which promises to become a national holiday--come from? What is the origin story? What are the facts, and legends, around this important day in the nation's history? 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.
2. Miss Juneteenth A former beauty queen and single mom prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the "Miss Juneteenth" pageant.
3. A long time coming : a lyrical biography of race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shepard This YA biography-in-verse of six important Black Americans from different eras, including Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama, chronicles the diverse ways each fought racism and shows how much--and how little--has changed for Black Americans since our country's founding.
4. How the word is passed : a reckoning with the history of slavery across America by Clint Smith This book is Clint Smith's contemporary portrait of the United States of America as a slave-owning nation.
5. Freedom national : the destruction of slavery in the United States, 1861-1865 

Happy reading!

Sincerly Your Friendly Neighborhood Librarian,

Katrina