state and the District of Columbia has formally recognized the holiday in some way. Beginning with Texas by proclamation in 1938, and by legislation in 1979, every U.S. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, these celebrations were eclipsed by the nonviolent determination to achieve civil rights, but grew in popularity again in the 1970s with a focus on African American freedom and African-American arts. Participants in the Great Migration brought these celebrations to the rest of the country. They spread across the South and became more commercialized in the 1920s and 1930s, often centering on a food festival. The day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law after the efforts of Lula Briggs Galloway, Opal Lee, and others.Įarly celebrations date to 1866, at first involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas. Originating in Galveston, Juneteenth has since been observed annually in various parts of the United States, often broadly celebrating African-American culture. Deriving its name from combining 'June' and 'nineteenth', it is celebrated on the anniversary of the order, issued by Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865, proclaiming freedom for slaves in Texas. Readers of all ages will delight in this declaration of freedom and homecoming.Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. With text and illustrations as warm as a summer day, author Carole Boston Weatherford and artist Yvonne Buchanan bring the African American emancipation celebration of Juneteenth to life for children. And, in the process, she realizes that she and her family have indeed come home. It isn't until Cassie and her family arrive downtown that she discovers what the commotion is about. As she helps prepare red velvet cake, fried chicken, and piles of other dishes, she wonders what makes June 19th so important. What Cassie doesn't know is that her family has a surprise for her - a Texas tradition. Cassie likes her new house, and her new school is okay, but Texas doesn't quite feel like home yet. Cassandra's family has just moved from the city back to her parents' hometown in Texas.

A young girl, who has just moved to her parents' hometown, realizes that she has come home after the African American emancipation celebration of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth jamboree book