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A Reading List to Explore the Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

By Washington University Libraries

To deepen our understanding of the significance, history, and legacy of Juneteenth, which commemorates the freedom of enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, the University Libraries are highlighting a curated list of books. The books are available in John M. Olin Library.

On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed

Cover of On Juneteenth

Juneteenth: The Story Behind the Celebration by Edward T. Cotham, Jr.

Cover of Juneteenth The Story Behind the Celebration

Festivals of Freedom by Mitch Kachun

Cover of Festivals of Freedom

Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery by Deborah Willis and Barbara Krauthamer

Cover of Envisioning Emancipation

General Gordon Granger: The Savior of Chickamauga and the Man Behind Juneteenth by Robert C. Conner

Cover of General Gordon Granger

O Freedom: Afro-American Emancipation Celebrations by William H. Wiggins, Jr.

Cover of O Freedom! Afro-American Emancipation Celebrations

The University Libraries’ guide to online reading resources on Juneteenth is available through our Juneteenth LibGuide.

For questions about the listed books or other reading recommendations, please contact Rudolph Clay, subject librarian for African and African-American Studies.