What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, short for June 19, commemorates the day federal troops arrived in Texas in 1865 to ensure all the enslaved people in the state be freed. This happened two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, and it still took several months to free all 250,000 enslaved people in Texas. Juneteenth was made a state holiday in Texas in 1979 and a federal holiday in 2021.

This year, Juneteenth celebrations will be coming back to Detroit through Jazzin at the Vanity. This event is free and will take place on June 10-11, 2023 with live music, local vendors and food, activities for families and a Kids Zone. Check out these books and movies below to learn more about Juneteenth, historical people that made a difference, and the impact of these events over 100 years later.

Celebrating Juneteenth



















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