Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom

‘ A Celebration of Freedom’ effectively conveys the jubilation that occurred on June 19, 1865 when African American people in Texas were the last to be freed from the horrors of U.S. slavery, a full two months after the end of the Civil War and more than two years after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation . Dr. Taylor’s 32-page book, full of colorful illustrations, archival photographs, and historical documents, makes the information about Juneteenth accessible for readers aged ten and up. Juneteenth is the oldest African American celebration in the United States and is quickly becoming one of the most popular holidays observed by Black Americans. Seven states (TX, OK, FL, DE, AK, ID, and IA) have already made Juneteenth a holiday–with more to come.