What Is Juneteenth?

Discover more about Juneteenth,the important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. On June 191865a group of enslaved menwomenand children in Texas gathered around a Union solder and listened as he read the most remarkable words they would ever hear. They were no longer enslaved: they were free. The inhumane practice of forced labor with no pay was now illegal in all of the United States. This news was cause for celebrationso the group of people jumped in excitementdancedand wept tears of joy. They did not know it at the timebut their joyous celebration of freedom would become a holiday–Juneteenth–that is observed each year by more and more Americans. Author Kirsti Jewel shares stories from Juneteenth celebrationsboth past and presentand chronicles the history that led to the creation of this joyous day. With 80 black-and-white illustrations and an engaging 16-page photo insertreaders will be excited to read this latest addition to Who HQ!