“On June 19, 1865, Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told slaves of their emancipation. That day came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. While the holiday was informally commemorated in later years, Texas became the first state to make it a state holiday in 1980. Last year, numerous states, cities and colleges across the US moved to recognize it as an official holiday.” (CNN)

As more companies designate Juneteenth an official work holiday, and the work of racial reckoning is at the forefront of our national priorities, Juneteenth becomes a more recognized historical celebration. Help booksellers help their customers understand this holiday with fiction and non-fiction that shines a light on the past and present.

Illustration: news.crunchbase.com

March is Women’s History Month, which celebrates the vital role of women in American history. Remarkable female entrepreneurs, scientists, politicians, athletes, artists, and spies, among others, abound historically and today. Our first female Vice-President has been elected. A woman heads the European Central Bank for the first time ever. The first female president of the New York Stock Exchange has been appointed.

Although many think of St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) as a day of parading and imbibing, St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture. It particularly remembers St Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland during the fifth century. To commemorate this holiday, bookstores and libraries may choose to focus on the wealth of exceptional writing by Irish writers, or books set in the country. 

Over five decades after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, American society is still working towards the dream that he envisioned. These ten essential books shed light on these decades after Dr. King’s life, the Civil Rights movement, and show how his legacy has shaped the past half-century. These titles share the experiences of activists, lawyers, and journalists about the ongoing and necessary work towards racial equality. (Courtesy PRH.com)

Originally created to celebrate American’s first President, George Washington, and officially called “Washington’s Birthday,” this annual federal holiday is now used to honor and remember all past US presidents, and in particular Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson. With consumers focused on the recent inauguration of a new President, interest may be especially keen this year to learn more about American leaders starting with President Washington and up to President Biden.

In late February, Putnam’s THOSE WHO ARE SAVED will join other World War II novels that have deeply satisfied readers’ curiosity and compassion about the war. To celebrate that publication, ask accounts to consider doing promotions around WWII titles, both fiction and non-fiction.

Herewith a highly curated list of Black History titles – classics and contemporary biographies, memoirs, essays, history, even poetry, from a broad spectrum of voices. Speaking to slavery, civil rights, the arts and current events, these books are a great starting point for Black History Month promotions as well as being essential to every bookstore and library inventory year-round.

Kicking off on Monday, October 26th and running through Monday, November 30th, Oprah Winfrey’s “The Books That Help Me Through” will feature 7 titles—5 of which are Penguin Random House titles—that have provided her solace during uncertain times. This series will be featured on Oprah’s Book Club, Twitter & Instagram accounts. Each week will be

Rosh Hashanah will be observed from Friday, September 18th through Sunday, September 20th followed by Yom Kippur on Sunday, September 27th and Monday, September 28th. Help accounts provide devout followers or generally curious customers with a variety of nonfiction titles that illustrate the significance and multifaceted cultural aspects of these Jewish traditions.

Encourage your accounts to pay tribute on this anniversary by offering readers titles that take another look at this truly monumental moment, including political analyses, first-hand recollections, and more.

Sales of basketball-related titles are soaring! Help accounts get nothing but net (sales) and capitalize on this timely trend by stocking up on the best nonfiction titles all about the love of the game.

There are many fiction titles that tackle the topic of Antiracism in ways that are both eye-opening and entertaining. Recommend this list of bestselling thought-provoking titles to use as starting points in critical conversations—between book clubs, families, friend groups, colleagues, and more.