Celebrate Juneteenth on Issuu

Juneteenth will be celebrated on June 19th in the United States, and this holiday has only recently received the recognition it deserves as a critical date to celebrate and understand in the history of the U.S. The increased awareness of Juneteenth follows the racial justice protests last June that were sparked by the horrific death of George Floyd and many other Black Americans due to policy brutality. Issuu provides a platform for content creators to share the history, stories and their perspectives on Juneteenth and the many challenges that Black Americans face today. We hope that with the increased awareness, participation in Juneteenth celebrations will grow.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those enslaved in the United States. The holiday originates from Galveston, Texas on the date that the Union Army general Gordon Grainger proclaimed freedom from slavery in Texas. This was actually over two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had officially outlawed slavery, but until this point the state of Texas had remained largely isolated from the Union troops and the enforcement had been slow and uneven. Juneteenth has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800’s, and finally the rest of the country is catching up to celebrating such an important date in our country’s history.

Read more about Juneteenth

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom

In an effort to increase awareness and education for Juneteenth, the Issuu team compiled important facts and background on the holiday alongside historical and relevant images. This is a great introduction to Juneteenth for readers interested in learning more.

Juneteenth: A Feast of Freedom

Celebrate freedom with a menu you won’t soon forget. This interactive recipe book honors the vibrant and rich legacy of Black ancestral cooking and African American history. Enjoy delicious food while celebrating simplicity, praising tradition, honoring Black Americans and their strong roots. Don’t miss the Juneteenth Spotify playlist recommended to accompany your cooking and meal time too.

Juneteenth Reading List

Looking to expand your knowledge and explore even more Juneteenth storytelling? The Texas Freedom Colonies Project is an educational and social justice initiative dedicated to supporting the preservation of Black settlement landscapes, heritage, and grassroots preservation practices through research. They compiled this Juneteenth reading list for a deeper look at Juneteenth history and celebrations.

Nothing Rhymes With Juneteenth by Idris Goodwin

Mad Cow Theatre, in partnership with Black Theatre Girl Magic, presents digital readings of five short plays by award-winning playwright, poet and changemaker, Idris Goodwin, to spark conversation about race in America for multi-generational audiences. Peruse the program and enjoy these previously livestreamed events on the Mad Cow Theatre Facebook page. With the support of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA/USA), Goodwin has offered these plays to serve as a catalyst for action. Each of these short works, written to be read across the multi-generational spectrum, offer different insights about disconnects in racial conversation and the Black experience in America.

Ujima: Honoring our Ancestors and Our Freedom in a Time of Healing

Ujima Magazine tells human interest stories about the “everyday heroes” with a focus on the Black community in Austin and the surrounding areas. The most recent issue shares stories of celebrating Juneteenth and the Emancipation Proclamation. 

Issuu elevates the stories we need to know

At Issuu, we know that storytelling has the power to create awareness, encourage dialogue and contribute to driving change in our world. The history of Juneteenth is important to tell and Issuu’s mission is to connect content to people in ways that will highlight our humanity to one another. Do you have additional Juneteenth content we should be highlighting? Let us know by tagging @Issuu, plus you can start your own storytelling at Issuu.com today.