Juneteenth is a day of celebration that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This landmark day, officially recognized as a holiday in Texas since 1980 and celebrated in various ways throughout the United States, speaks to how information suppression played a large role in the slow end to slavery in the United States.
Although President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the Civil War ended in the early months of 1865, Texas slaveowners suppressed information regarding freedom, ensuring the continuity of slavery in the state even after the end of the war. On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger and his troops entered Texas and decreed that all slaves were free.
Juneteenth has long been a celebratory holiday in many Black communities, but this year, due to protests against police violence on Black citizens, an awareness of Black history in the United States has brought this long-standing holiday to the national forefront.
President Trump moved a scheduled campaign rally on June 19th to June 20th due to concerns that this important holiday would overshadow the rally. Large organizations such as the National Football League and Twitter are closing their offices to commemorate the holiday. Information and educational materials are being sought out to learn more about the historical day.
Ship Library has materials, from documentaries available for streaming, to news and academic articles, to books on Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation. Included below are links to a few of these materials:
Outside Sources:
For more information and educational material on Juneteenth, please contact the library. Thanks!
UPDATE: In order to reflect, pause, and celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Pennsylvania, the State System Universities are closing offices and cancelling classes. For information on Governors Wolf's declaration and for activities to do in Pennsylvania to celebrate Juneteenth, check out the links below:
- Governor Wolf's declaration of special holiday closure for Juneteenth.
- Events happening around Central PA celebrating Juneteenth.
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