- On Juneteenth
- By Annette Gordon-Reed
- Monday, June 20, 2022 – 6:00 - 7:00 PM ET, Zoom event
- Presented by the Boston Public Library, American Ancestors/NEHGS, GBH Forum Network, and the State Library of Massachusetts
Juneteenth is observed to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States, and the holiday celebrates the freedom, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. Having been made an official Massachusetts state holiday in 2020, Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 20th this year. The date of Juneteenth has always been historically significant, with the holiday’s history rooted in Texas. On June 19th, 1865, Texas officially received news that the Civil War had ended and slaves were free (two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation). Since then, the holiday has been largely celebrated in Texas, with Texas becoming the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1980.
Gordon-Reed’s book, On Juneteenth, explores the history, tradition, and new significance of the holiday. As a Texas native and descendant of Texas slaves, Gordon-Reed offers an intimate and well-researched perspective on Juneteenth and its meaning today.
The author will be joined by moderator Lisa Baldez, a Professor of Government at Dartmouth College.
Related Juneteenth Resources:
- https://www.juneteenth.com/
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/the-emancipator/
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/10/lifestyle/celebrate-juneteenth-these-14-boston-area-events/?p1=BGSearch_Overlay_Results
- https://time.com/5853800/juneteenth-national-holiday/
- https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth
- https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/16/metro/what-does-juneteenth-flag-mean/
State Library of Massachusetts
