With colorful illustrations and a timeline, this introductory history
of Juneteenth for kids details the evolution of the holiday
commemorating the date the enslaved people of Texas first learned of
their freedom.
On June 19, 1865--more than two years after President Lincoln's
Emancipation Proclamation--the enslaved people of Texas first learned of
their freedom. That day became a day of remembrance and celebration that
changed and grew from year to year.
Learn about the events that led to emancipation and why it took so
long for the enslaved people in Texas to hear the news. The first
Juneteenth began as "Jubilee Day," where families celebrated and learned
of their new rights as citizens. As Black Texans moved to other parts of
the country, they brought their traditions along with them, and
Juneteenth continued to grow and develop.
Today, Juneteenth's powerful spirit has endured through the centuries
to become an official holiday in the United States in 2021. The
Juneteenth Story provides an accessible introduction for kids to learn
about this important American holiday.