The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States

Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4

The Juneteenth Story is an illustrated history of Juneteenth for kids, detailing its evolution from the first celebration in 1865 until it became a national holiday in 2021.

With colorful illustrations and a timeline, this introductory history of Juneteenth for kids details the evolution of the holiday commemorating the date the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their freedom​.

On June 19, 1865—more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation—the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their freedom. That day became a day of remembrance and celebration that changed and grew from year to year.

Learn about the events that led to emancipation and why it took so long for the enslaved people in Texas to hear the news. The first Juneteenth began as “Jubilee Day,” where families celebrated and learned of their new rights as citizens. As Black Texans moved to other parts of the country, they brought their traditions along with them, and Juneteenth continued to grow and develop.

Today, Juneteenth’s powerful spirit has endured through the centuries to become an official holiday in the United States in 2021. The Juneteenth Story provides an accessible introduction for kids to learn about this important American holiday.

About the Author

Alliah L. Agostini writes to spread joy, because we can always use more of it. She also knows firsthand how valuable it is for more people, young readers especially, to finally see themselves reflected on the page. Alliah founded and contributes to Grownesque, a blog and social media destination for Xennial women. She resides in New Jersey, where she enjoys impromptu dance parties and making up corny jokes with her husband and two children. She is a member of SCBWI and has an AB and MBA from Harvard.