Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday celebrated on June 19th in the United States, and there are a handful of important books on the event. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the abolition of slavery. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved individuals were now free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

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Juneteenth is a significant moment in American history and represents a time of joy, reflection, and remembrance for the Black community. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and social justice.

Best nonfiction books for Juneteenth

When it comes to nonfiction books that explore the history and significance of Juneteenth, here are a few recommendations with some from Sincerely, Candace and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

• “The Black History of the White House” by Clarence Lusane. This book examines the complex relationship between African Americans and the presidency, including the role of enslaved individuals in building the White House.
• “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” by Isabel Wilkerson. Although not solely focused on Juneteenth, this book chronicles the mass migration of African Americans from the South to the North, seeking freedom and better opportunities.
• “Barracoon: The Story of the Last ‘Black Cargo'” by Zora Neale Hurston. This book presents the firsthand account of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade, providing a unique perspective on the horrors of slavery and its aftermath.

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• “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed. The essential, sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Texas native.
• “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America 1619-2019” by Ibram X. Kendi, Keisha N. Blain. This 2021 anthology of essays, commentaries, personal reflections, short stories, and poetry.
• “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” by Nikole Hannah-Jones. A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New American Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present.
• “A Black Women’s History of the United States” by Daina Berry and Kali Gross. This diverse history details the journey of the first African woman who arrived in America to the women of today.
• “The Life and Times Of Frederick Douglass” by Frederick Douglass. Raised as a slave, Douglass went on to become a prominent writer, orator, and major activist in the struggle for African American freedom and equality.

Read: What to read for Juneteenth 2022

These books offer historical context, personal narratives, and critical insights into the legacy of slavery and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality. They can deepen understanding and spark meaningful conversations about Juneteenth and its significance in American history and culture.

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UPDATED: New books added to our 2024 list.

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