Opal Lee will visit the Free Library of Philadelphia on Thursday to read her children's book, "Juneteenth: A Children's Story."
At 95 years old, Lee is affectionately known as the "grandmother of Juneteenth," the holiday commemorating the end of American slavery and the emancipation of Black Americans.
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The book is viewed as a tool to introduce children to the concept of slavery and help them understand the importance of Juneteenth.
Lee was born in Texas, where the origins of Juneteenth can be traced. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay and announced that slaves in the state were free under the Emancipation Proclamation.
Lee was a school teacher before becoming an activist within her Fort Worth community. She helped to organize annual Juneteenth celebrations locally and was an advocate for Juneteenth becoming recognized as a federal holiday.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill that made Juneteenth a national holiday.
The Free Library event will begin at 11 a.m. Autographed copies of Lee's book will be available for sale.
The event is being hosted by Unity Unlimited organization, a nonprofit that has provided educations resources in an effort to unify communities since 1994, and Philadelphia City Councilmember Kathy Gilmore Richardson.
Meet Opal Lee
Thursday, July 21
11 a.m. | Free
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
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