Juneteenth was made a Federal Holiday when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in 2021 — but it has been a longstanding tradition, first celebrated by the African-American community in Texas in 1866. It was established as a Texas State Holiday in 1980.

What is Juneteenth?

Slavery’s end with the Emancipation Proclamation was not known, and not immediately enforced. When Army commander issued a General order ending slavery in Texas, African Americans immediately celebrated and then commemorated the day…June 19th became Juneteenth.

It is one of the earliest continuously observed holidays that African Americans established in the United States.

Dallas Herald ; although slavery ended years earlier, many African-Americans remained enslaved — even after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox… for Texas, Major General Granger’s June 19th General Order was the official end of slavery….

For your own Juneteenth celebrations, NYLI recommends these websites

Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories

Honor the past by listening to the Library of Congress recordings of former slaves telling their stories

Juneteenth at the New York Public Library

Free books, events, and resources….plus NYPL’s great research guides on Juneteenth, Racial Equity Resources for Educators, & researching Black Heritage using NYPL sources…

NAACP urges you to take action this Juneteenth… by taking action

…..& you can start by watching NAACP President discuss Juneteenth !

23 Ways to thoughtfully celebrate Juneteenth from our friends at the Good News Community

Don’t let the holiday slip into just another day off… Choose a way to commemorate!

From the National Museum of African American History & Culture…. Juneteenth Community Day … celebrations planned all around this great museum….

The New York Law Institute wishes all readers a joyous Juneteenth… and hope these guides help you not only celebrate… but commemorate….

THE definitive encyclopedia… available at NYLI as an eBook...
A $15M eBook collection, print, Records & Briefs, LLMC, ProQuest Congressional... and the expert research guidance of our librarians…..

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