Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom

Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader.

On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered. Order Number 3 was read, proclaiming that they were no longer enslaved--they were free. People danced, wept tears of joy, and began to plan their new lives. Juneteenth became an annual celebration that is observed by more and more Americans with parades, picnics, family gatherings, and reflection on the words of historical figures, to mark the day when freedom truly rang for all.

Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots and popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

SHARON DENNIS WYETH has written nearly fifty books for children, including several books in the My America series. She is also a poet, and a member of the Cave Canem Fellowship for African-American Poets. Her picture book Something Beautiful was selected by the Children’s Book Council as a Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Her picture book Always My Dad is a Reading Rainbow Selection. She also enjoys singing, hiking, cooking, and gardening. She lives in New Jersey.