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Juneteenth Is Now A Paid Holiday For Some In Charlotte

Juneteenth is now a paid holiday for some in Charlotte.  Beginning in 2023, city employees will have Juneteenth as a paid holiday.  The Charlotte City Council unanimously voted on the…

8 Facts About Juneteenth You Didn't Know

There are a number of different ways that people celebrate the day: parades, marches and barbecues. Many people get together for ceremonies that include public service awards, prayer, and the raising of the Juneteenth Flag.

Government and educational facilities will often have programs or information regarding the history of the holiday and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

Juneteenth is now a paid holiday for some in Charlotte.  Beginning in 2023, city employees will have Juneteenth as a paid holiday.  The Charlotte City Council unanimously voted on the paid holiday at last night’s meeting.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.  It is the day news of slavery ending reached states in the south in 1865, more than 2 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth falls on Monday, June 19, 2023.

5 Children’s Books To Read To Your Kid About Juneteenth

Discussing historical events with a child can be a difficult task. So how do you explain Juneteenth to them? Children are curious, and they can ask a mountain of questions, which can get tricky, especially if the subject matter is challenging. These children-friendly books make Juneteenth digestible, interactive, and most importantly, record an accurate account for kids. Below you will find a synopsis of books for three levels: preschool, elementary, and middle school.

Take a look below:

'The Story of Juneteenth' by Dorena Williamson- Preschool

The-Story-of-Juneteenth-dorena.jpgWorthyKids

This board book introduces children to June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas where Union General Gordon Granger informed enslaved people that the Civil War was over and that they were free. This happened two years after the war had officially ended. 


'Juneteenth: A Children’s Story' by Opal Lee - Elementary

Juneteenth-A-Childrens-Story.jpgUnity Unlimited

Written by Opal Lee who has also taken the nickname of "Grandmother of Juneteenth" because of her social activism, tells the story of the June 19, 1865 event that is engaging for children. Fun Fact: In 2016 at 90 years of age, she launched a walking campaign to Washington, D.C. to bring awareness of the need for Juneteenth to be a National Day of Observance.


'Juneteenth for Mazie' by Floyd Cooper - Elementary

Juneteenth-for-Mazie.jpgPicture Window Books

This book is taken from the perspective of Mazie, a young girl who is celebrating the freedom of her ancestors with her family.


'Raven The Great: What is Juneteenth?' by Paulette McClain- Elementary

Raven-The-Great-What-is-Juneteenth.jpgK & P Publishing, LLC

'Raven The Great: What is Juneteenth?' is told from the perspective of an 11-year-old African American girl named Raven (Rae Rae) from Louisana as she presents the meaning of Juneteenth to her curious classmates. 


'The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure' by Steven Otfinoski - Middle School

the-story-of-juneteenth.jpgCapstone Press

'The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure' takes you on a journey. With this book as your guide, children are able to choose from three story paths, 46 choices, and 22 endings on what they would decide to due given the news on June 19, 1865, as a former enslaved person.

Randi Moultrie is a Charleston, South Carolina native and has been in the radio industry for the last few years in Charlotte. Randi started with Beasley Media Group as an intern in 2019 and is now thriving in the digital world. Randi enjoys writing about her favorite foods (especially pizza) and all things fashion and travel. As one who loves taking trips to find new foods, it’s not surprising that she enjoys writing about both!