MC Library Research Guides: Juneteenth : Home

June 19th is Juneteenth!

MC Library is proud to celebrate Juneteenth, a pivotal moment in American history that marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Here you will find information about the significance of Juneteenth, along with several book and video recommendations. You will also find helpful research databases and resources from MC, local, and national sources, all dedicated to Juneteenth.

Quick Facts about Juneteenth

Why is it called Juneteenth?
Juneteenth combines the words "June" and "nineteenth". The official name for Juneteenth is 'Juneteenth National Independence Day".
Why is Juneteenth important and when is it celebrated?
It commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th.
Is it a federal holiday?
Yes, Juneteenth is considered a federal holiday in the United States. Congress passed legislation to establish Juneteenth as a holiday on June 16th, 2021 and was signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17th, 2021.
What other names does Juneteenth go by?
Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day, Black Independence Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, and Jubilee Day.

Learn more about how Juneteenth came to be

What is Juneteenth?

`A piece from the collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.`

According to Mary Elliot, Curator of American slavery at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), "Juneteenth is a significant date in American history and the African American experience." On June 19th, 1865, General Gordon Granger led the Union Army into Galveston, Texas, where he publicly announced that all enslaved African Americans were now free.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation had legally liberated African Americans in rebellious states, including Texas, on January 1st, 1863, and the Civil War had concluded in April 1865, the enforcement of the Proclamation in the rebelling western states, not nationwide, didn't happen until June 19th, 1865, bringing freedom to enslaved individuals.

`The Juneteenth flag commemorates the day in which slavery ended.`

The Juneteenth flag is a symbolic representation of when slavery ended in the United States. Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF) along with some collaborators, created the flag back in 1997. Boston-based illustrator Lisa Jeanne Graf brought the flag to life. The flag would be revised to the current version used today, and in 2007, the date "June 19, 1865) would be added to the flag. According to Haith, the creation of the flags and its symbols was intentional. The flag features a star, a burst, and an arc.

Star: According to Haith, the star symbolizes both Texas (the Lone Star state) and the liberation of African Americans in all 50 states. Juneteenth was initially celebrated in Texas after the last enslaved people were told of their freedom.
Burst: The outline around the star draws inspiration from a nova, which in astronomy refers to a new star. The burst signifies a new beginning for all African Americans.
Arc: The curve extending across the flag symbolizes a new horizon, new opportunities, and a promising future for African Americans

Videos About Juneteenth

Events

Juneteenth at Josiah Henson Museum and Park

What better way to celebrate Juneteenth than to visit the museum dedicated the man, Reverend Josiah Henson, who traveled along the Underground Railroad freeing 118 former enslaved persons. The museum will be open for special hours on Wednesday, June 19. Self-guided tours and special hands-on activities will be available for families.

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location:
Josiah Henson Museum and Park
11410 Old Georgetown Road
North Bethesda, MD 20852

Registration:
Adults: $5
Seniors & Youth: $4

Juneteenth at Josiah Henson Museum and Park

Juneteenth at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of enslavement in the United States. Join us for special museum hours.

Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location:
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Registration:
Adults: $5
Seniors & Youth: $4

Children 5 and under are free.

Juneteenth at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park

Guided Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail

Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey. Woodlawn Museum admission included. Hike covers 2 miles on a natural surface hiking trail. Trail is not ADA accessible or suitable for all strollers. Content appropriate for ages 7 and up.

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM

Location:
Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
16501 Norwood Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20832

Registration: $8

Guided Hike on the Underground Railroad Experience Trail

Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park - Guided Tours and Open House

Step inside Oakley Cabin, a living history museum, and learn about the African American roadside community that lived and worked on this historic site from emancipation well into the 20^th century. Their culture and traditions heavily influenced those of surrounding communities, and their story is deeply woven into Montgomery County’s rich history.

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025

Time: 12:00PM - 4:00PM

Location:
Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park
3610 Brookeville Road
Olney, MD 20832

Registration: Free

Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park - Guided Tours and Open House

Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour - Frederick Douglass

" The moving image installation interweaves period reenactments across five screens to create a vivid picture of 19th-century activist, writer, orator and philosopher Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)."

Date: December 8th, 2023 - November 26th, 2026

Time: 11:30am - 7pm

Location: National Portrait Gallery | 8th St. and G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

Registration: Free

Lessons of the Hour - Frederick Douglass | Learn More

About These Guides

Each year, Montgomery College's Board of Trustees designates national and state of Maryland awareness days and months for MC to celebrate. To acknowledge and celebrate diversity, MC Library creates online guides and library displays for each awareness day or month designated by the Board.