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The essential, sweeping story of Juneteenth’s integral importance to American history, as told by a Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Texas native.

Weaving together American history, dramatic family chronicle, and searing episodes of memoir, Annette Gordon-Reed’s On Juneteenth provides a historian’s view of the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the enormous hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond. All too aware of the stories of cowboys, ranchers, and oilmen that have long dominated the lore of the Lone Star State, Gordon-Reed―herself a Texas native and the descendant of enslaved people brought to Texas as early as the 1820s―forges a new and profoundly truthful narrative of her home state, with implications for us all.

Combining personal anecdotes with poignant facts gleaned from the annals of American history, Gordon-Reed shows how, from the earliest presence of Black people in Texas to the day in Galveston on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger announced the end of legalized slavery in the state, African-Americans played an integral role in the Texas story.

Reworking the traditional “Alamo” framework, she powerfully demonstrates, among other things, that the slave- and race-based economy not only defined the fractious era of Texas independence but precipitated the Mexican-American War and, indeed, the Civil War itself.

In its concision, eloquence, and clear presentation of history, On Juneteenth vitally revises conventional renderings of Texas and national history. As our nation verges on recognizing June 19 as a national holiday, On Juneteenth is both an essential account and a stark reminder that the fight for equality is exigent and ongoing. 2 black-and-white illustrations

On Juneteenth: A New History of Freedom Day by Annette Gordon-Reed

A Pulitzer Prize-winning historian shares the untold story of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved people were now free. This momentous event, which came more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, sparked celebrations across the country and became an annual commemoration of African American freedom.

In On Juneteenth, Annette Gordon-Reed, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, delves into the history of this important holiday, tracing its origins from the end of the Civil War to its recent resurgence as a national day of observance. Gordon-Reed illuminates the significance of Juneteenth in the context of American history, exploring the long struggle for racial equality and the ongoing fight for justice.

Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Gordon-Reed brings to life the stories of the enslaved people who experienced emancipation, the Union soldiers who helped to bring it about, and the activists who have worked to keep the memory of Juneteenth alive. She also examines the complex and often contradictory ways that Juneteenth has been commemorated over the years, from its humble beginnings as a local celebration to its more recent recognition as a national holiday.

On Juneteenth is a timely and important book that sheds new light on a significant chapter in American history. Gordon-Reed's work is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the importance of remembering the sacrifices that have been made in the pursuit of freedom.