National Freedom Day

United States observance

National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1 honoring the signing by President Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later was ratified as the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment abolishing slavery on February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.

Later, this date was celebrated as Black History Day.

History

In the mid-20th century, Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., born into slavery and freed after the Civil War, believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. Wright invited national and local leaders to meet in Philadelphia in order to make plans to designate February 1 as an annual memorial to the signing of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by President Abraham Lincoln on this date. The amendment freed all U.S. slaves.[1][2]

One year after Wright's death in 1947, both houses of the U.S. Congress passed a bill to make February 1 National Freedom Day. The holiday proclamation was signed into law on June 30, 1948, by President Harry Truman.[2]

It was the forerunner to Black History Day. Later Black History Month was officially recognized in 1976. Recognition of black history had been initiated by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926.[2][3]

The President may issue each year a proclamation designating February 1 as National Freedom Day to commemorate the signing by Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865, of the joint resolution adopted by the Senate and the House of Representatives that proposed the 13th amendment to the Constitution.

— U.S. Code § 124 – National Freedom Day

On this day, many towns and cities have festivals. Some citizens reflect privately on the freedoms that the United States honors and to appreciate the goodwill of the United States. In Philadelphia, wreath laying at the Liberty Bell has been a tradition for many years to mark National Freedom Day. Symbols of the day may include a theme about freedom for all Americans. It is not a federal holiday.

See also

  • George Washington
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • United States
  • Barack Obama

References

  1. ^ "Pennsylvania: Life and Times of Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr. and the National Freedom Day Association". Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  2. ^ a b c "125 Influential People and Ideas: Richard Robert Wright Sr". Wharton Alumni Magazine. Archived from the original on February 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  3. ^ "National Freedom Day: A Local Legacy". Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January
January–February
February
American Heart Month
Black History Month
February–March
March
Irish-American Heritage Month
Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Women's History Month
  • Saint Patrick's Day (religious)
  • Spring break (week)
    • March–April
  • Easter (religious)
    • April
    Arab American Heritage Month
    Confederate History MonthMay
    Asian American and
    Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    Jewish American Heritage Month
    Military Appreciation Month
    June
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
    Transgender Pride Month
  • Juneteenth (federal, cultural)
  • Father's Day (36)
    • JulyJuly–AugustAugustSeptember
    Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
    Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthSeptember–October
    Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious)
  • Oktoberfest
  • Pitri Paksha (religious)
  • Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious)
  • Shemini Atzeret (religious)
  • Simchat Torah (religious)
  • Vijaya Dashami (religious)
  • Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
    • October
    Breast Cancer Awareness Month
    Disability Employment Awareness Month
    Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
    Filipino American History Month
    LGBT History MonthOctober–November
  • Birth of the Báb (religious)
  • Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious)
  • Day of the Dead (VI)
  • Diwali (NY, religious)
  • Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
    • November
    Native American Indian Heritage Month
    December
  • Christmas (religious, federal)
  • New Year's Eve
    • Varies (year round)
  • Eid al-Adha (NY, religious)
  • Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious)
  • Islamic New Year (religious)
  • Yawm al-Arafa (religious)
  • Hajj (religious)
  • Laylat al-Qadr (religious)
  • Navaratri (religious, four times a year)
  • Obon (religious)
  • Onam (religious)
  • Ramadan (religious, month)
  • Ghost Festival (religious)
  • Yawm Aashura (religious)
    • Legend:

    (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies

    See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.