National Museum of African American History & Culture Poster
Visit the Library’s Juneteenth Book Display
The Library joins the nation in commemorating Juneteenth National Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. Early celebrations of Juneteenth began soon thereafter and in June 2017, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday. Here are a few places to start to learn more:
- Browse the Library’s Juneteenth Book Display (Located in the Hasselquist Room, Library Main Floor)
- Search the Library Catalog for books and articles of interest (try search terms such as Juneteenth, emancipation proclamation, emancipation of enslaved persons, United States Civil War, or other topics of interest)
- Browse the Library’s Guide to History
- Juneteenth: Senses of Freedom: Exploring the Tastes, Sounds and Experiences of an African American Celebration (Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture)
- Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday (The New York Times, June 9, 2023)
- More Than Half of States Will Recognize Juneteenth as an Official Public Holiday in 2023 (Pew Research Center, June 9, 2023)
- Governor Walz Establishes Juneteenth as a State Holiday (Press Release, February 3, 2023)
- President Biden’s Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2021 (June 18, 2021)
Looking for more information? Ask a Librarian