LibGuides: Commemorating Juneteenth: Home

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, an emancipation celebration, is recognized all over the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union Army officer Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the emancipation of all slaves in Texas. Thus was established one of the most enduring Emancipation Day celebrations in the United States, popularly known as Juneteenth, which marks the formal end of African enslavement.

This guide is intended as a starting point for educating yourself about Juneteenth and slavery in the United States. There are many other resources available online.

If you have any questions about a resource that you've found, you can contact a librarian and they will help you assess the source.

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter
by Justine Black Last Updated Nov 23, 2020 5 views this year

To learn more about racism and White privilege, explore the Black Lives Matter guide for a broad collection of personal stories, articles, ebooks, and other resources.

Juneteenth Resources

Juneteenth Justice Con
A free conference for any interested.
Juneteenth Livestream (RSVP)
Hosted by the NAACP, and streaming live Youtube, RSVP to watch "Juneteenth: Black Family Reunion."
Emancipation Proclamation
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This research guide compiles digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to related external websites, and a print bibliography.
What is Juneteenth? by Henry Louis Gates Jr (The Root)
A well-written and informative article about Juneteenth and it's positive, ongoing effects in America.
Juneteenth.com
Wondering how to get your community involved in celebrating Juneteenth? Check out this page from Juneteenth.com for suggestions. Juneteenth.com also provides historical background for this important marker in history.
[Podcast] The Truth About Juneteenth NPR
June 19th is traditionally embraced as the day in 1863 when slaves in Texas learned they'd been freed. But historian Hari Jones, Assistant Director of the African-American Civil War Museum in Washington, D.C., says many are misinformed about the true significance of the holiday.
[LOCAL].Juneteenth in PA
Last year, Governor Wolf declared Juneteenth in Pennsylvania
Juneteenth in Huntingdon County - Facebook Page

White Privilege

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
"I was taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group" Essay by Peggy McIntosh. Includes notes for facilitators.
Anti-Racism Resources for White People
"This document is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues."

Race and American History

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936 to 1938 (Library of Congress)
"Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938 contains more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves. These narratives were collected in the 1930s as part of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP) of the Works Progress Administration, later renamed Work Projects Administration (WPA)."
The Civil Rights Digital Library
"The struggle for racial equality in the 1950s and 1960s is among the most far-reaching social movements in the nation's history, and it represents a crucial step in the evolution of American democracy. The Civil Rights Digital Library promotes an enhanced understanding of the Movement by helping users discover primary sources and other educational materials from libraries, archives, museums, public broadcasters, and others on a national scale."
National Museum of African American History and Culture
"The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans."

Resources with Temporary Free Access

MUSE in Focus: Confronting Structural Racism
"“MUSE in Focus: Confronting Structural Racism” is a selection of temporarily free books and articles from a wide range of publishers and perspectives about the history of racism in America, its endurance throughout society, and how the country can respond now to enact meaningful and lasting reform. We hope that this selection of research can help inform the necessary conversations and actions around this topic."

Commemorating Juneteenth: Home