The Juneteenth Story Written by Allah L. Agostini

On June 17th, 2021, President Joe Biden signs legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. But the story of celebrating Juneteenth begins hundreds of years prior. In this book, the reader will travel back in time to learn about the beginning roots of slavery and the famous abolitionists like Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln who helped make a difference. After the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, the Confederate Texas enslavers kept slave freedom a secret. As a result, the enslaved people of Texas never experienced their freedom until 900 hundred days after the Emancipation Proclamation was declared. On June 19th, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to recite a proclamation from the Executive of the United States that they were indeed free. As the story of Juneteenth unfolds, the audience will understand how, despite its joyous purpose, the civil rights movement and segregation in the 1960s ended up stifling the jubilee for many years. People today are only aware of it due to the Black Lives Matter movement that brought it to light in 2021, the year it was declared a U.S. holiday. Agostini takes the reader on a historical journey to the roots of injustice for black people and through the historical timeline of triumphs and tribulations for African Americans. Because of great perseverance and hope, the manifestation of this dream came to be, and Juneteenth is finally acknowledged and celebrated as a joyous celebration in June every year for the rest of time. A perfect read for the upper elementary grade student. A wondrously illustrated story successfully speaking upon Juneteeth's significance and stand for liberty and justice for ALL!