140th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation
140th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation logo
Official name140th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation
Observed byPeople of the United States
Liturgical color(White)
TypeHistorical American
SignificanceSpirit, strength and legacy of freedom, justice and equality for all people of America
CelebrationsYearlong celebration and learning about the past to better understand the experiences that shaped the Nation
DateJanuary 1, 2003
Frequencyonce
Related toEmancipation Proclamation
Slavery in the United States

The 140th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation was a national campaign to honor, celebrate, and commemorate January 1, 2003, as the 140th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863,[1] by United States President Abraham Lincoln.

History

This historical commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation came,[2] shortly after September 11, 2001, as a venue for national celebration. The 140th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation celebrates the progression of the United States, and was reminiscent of a similar period in American history, following the Civil War.[3] As momentum for the anniversary celebration grew, Americans joined in to participate across the United States.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Sam Waterston, best known from the Law and Order television program, organized volunteers to clean, paint, and restore Lincoln's Cottage at the Soldier's Home[11] in Washington, D.C., for this milestone anniversary.[12]

The first reading of the proclamation in The South occurred at the Emancipation Oak located on the campus of Hampton University in what is now the city of Hampton, Virginia. This is the same site where Mary Smith Peake had earlier taught children of former slaves under the same tree.[13] The Emancipation Oak, a National Historical Landmark, was itself a catalyst for the 140th anniversary celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Subsequently, in 2004, the oak was named America's national tree.[14]

The nearby city of Newport News, Virginia held a First Reading anniversary celebration consisting of a presentational reading of the Emancipation Proclamation with living historians portraying slaves to emphasize the meaning of President Lincoln's historic act of universal manumission.[15] The event was held in the Newport News City Council chambers, and included a resolution issued by the city's mayor, Joe Frank, as to the significance of the celebratory year.

The Network to Freedom website, honoring the Underground Railroad, was launched by the United States National Park Service to coincide with the 140th anniversary.[16]

Legislative resolution

Early bipartisan congressional supporters of the 140th Anniversary Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation were Danny K. Davis (Dem. IL) who sponsored the legislation in the United States House of Representatives as House Concurrent Resolution 36.[17] The legislation was sponsored in the United States Senate by Senator George Allen (Rep. VA), as Senate Concurrent Resolution 15.[18]

Text

The text of the final resolution reads as follows:

Commemorating the 140th year anniversary of the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Resolved by the Senate the House of Representatives concurring, that congress:

(1.) recognizes the historical significance of the 140th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation as an important period in our Nation's history; and

(2.) encourage its celebration in accordance with the spirit, strength, and legacy of freedom, justice, and equality for all people of America and to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the Nation.

The bill passed in both houses of the United States Congress by unanimous vote.[17][18]

References

  1. ^ "Featured Document: The Emancipation Proclamation". Archives.gov. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  2. ^ New Journal and Guide, November 13, 2002, By Rev. Marcellus Harris, First Baptist Church Morrison, Newport News, Virginia
  3. ^ "America's reconstruction: People and Politics After the Civil War". Digitalhistory.uh.edu. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010., Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Historical Society, Carolina State Museum, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Museum of Florida History, Museum of the New South, Chicago Historical Society
  4. ^ "NY PIX Morning News Blog – WPIX-TV WPIX-TV (Channel 11)". New York: Weblogs.wpix.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  5. ^ 140th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation / Slavery's lingering legacy, William B. Gould IV, San Francisco Chronicle, January 1, 2003
  6. ^ "News at Old Dominion University Statement Issued in Observance of Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary". Odu.edu. September 22, 2003. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  7. ^ "News Jan–Feb 2003 Illinois Periodicals Online". Lib.niu.edu. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  8. ^ Tavis Smiley (January 31, 2003). "Profile: Emancipation Proclamation". NPR. Retrieved October 11, 2010.[dead link]
  9. ^ "National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom". PR Newswire. December 10, 2002. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  10. ^ "Bill Tracking – 2003 session > Legislation". Leg6.state.va.us. Retrieved October 11, 2010. Virginia General Assembly, House Joint Resolution 772 recognition of the 140th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation
  11. ^ "President Lincoln's Cottage". Lincolncottage.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  12. ^ Sam Waterston, Chris Epting (May 5, 2004), Preserving America's Past, Studio10, archived from the original on July 18, 2011, retrieved October 11, 2010
  13. ^ Rev. Lewis C. Lockwood (2009), Mary S. Peake: The Colored Teacher at Fortress Monroe, Dodo Press, ISBN 978-1-4099-7258-7
  14. ^ "Press Releases – The Arbor Day Foundation". Arborday.org. December 15, 2004. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  15. ^ "Weather Delays Public Reading of Proclamation", Daily Press, January 17, 2003, archived from the original on April 14, 2011, retrieved October 11, 2010
  16. ^ "National Underground Railroad: Network to Freedom". National Park Service. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  17. ^ a b "H.Con.Res.36 – 108th Congress (2003–2004): Encouraging the people of the United States to honor and celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and commending Abraham Lincoln's efforts to end slavery. | Congress.gov". Library of Congress. February 27, 2003.
  18. ^ a b "A concurrent resolution commemorating the 140th anniversary of the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.[permanent dead link]" S.CON.RES.15. 108th Congress (2003–2004). (Retrieved October 9, 2010.)

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