NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY - February 1
NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY
National Freedom Day, always observed on February 1st, celebrates freedom from slavery. It also recognizes that America is a symbol of liberty. The day honors the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. It was not ratified by the states, however, until later on December 18, 1865.
#NationalFreedomDay
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." ~ 13th Amendment
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY
- Reflect on the freedoms found in the United States.
- Attend a National Freedom Day ceremony.
- Read about or watch a documentary about the 13th Amendment.
- Visit an art gallery or museum displaying pieces inspired by the 13th Amendment.
- Attend a forum or lecture to discuss the 13th Amendment and its impact, then and now.
- Read the 13th Amendment in its entirety.
- Teach someone about the 13th Amendment.
- Write about or discuss the 13th Amendment in a social media post, broadcast, or article.
- Use #NationalFreedomDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY HISTORY
A former slave by the name of Major Richard Robert Wright, Sr. created National Freedom Day. Major Wright was looked upon as a great leader in the community. It was believed by Major Wright, that this day needed to be celebrated.
February 1st holds significance because that was the date Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery in 1865. On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming February 1st as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States.
February 1st Celebrated History
1894
The Philological Society of London and Oxford University Press publishes the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary. A-Ant consisted of 352 pages and took 5 years to complete. Scotchman James Murray undertook the enormous task as the primary editor. He would die in 1915 before the project was complete.
1896
Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème premieres in Turin, Italy. The tragic love story is one of Puccini's greatest works.
1972
Hewlett-Packard introduced the first scientific hand-held calculator. It sold for $395 and was named the HP-35 - a nod to its 35 keys.
1982
David Letterman launches his first evening talk show, Late Night with David Letterman. His first guest on the comedy talk show was Bill Murray.
February 1st Celebrated History
Hattie Caraway - 1878
In 1932, Caraway became the first woman elected to the Senate. She had been appointed the previous year to fill her husband's seat due to his death.
John Ford - 1895
The American film director was most noted for his westerns starring John Wayne. He also adapted the John Steinbeck novel, Grapes of Wrath.
Clark Gable - 1901
One of Hollywood's foremost leading men during the first half of the 20th century, Gable was known for films like Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, and The Misfits.
Langston Hughes - 1902
The American poet of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes also wrote several plays, novels, and essays. He's most known for his poem "Harlem."
Vivian Maier - 1926
For five decades the street photographer captured the world and then hid it away. Not until after her death was her historic collection revealed to the world.
