National Freedom Day
Encyclopedia
National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1 honoring 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, although it was not ratified by the states until later.
Major Richard Robert Wright Sr.
, a former slave, believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. While living in Philadelphia towards the end of his life, he invited local and national leaders to meet to organize a movement for a national holiday to commemorate Lincoln's signing of the 13th Amendment. The resulting National Freedom Association proposed having a memorial date to call attention to the continuing struggle for freedom for African-Americans. Since President Lincoln had signed the 13th Amendment on the first day of February, that date was chosen to celebrate National Freedom Day. The first commemoration took place on February 1, 1942, at Independence Hall. As it has every year since, the remembrance included laying a wreath at the Liberty Bell
.
On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming February 1 as National Freedom Day. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/pa/es_pa_free_1_e.html It is not a federal holiday
; government offices and banks are open for business.
In the U.S. Code of Ethics at Cornell University
National Freedom Day is written in the law books as:
National Freedom Day has been observed since February 1, 1948 when Truman signed a bill proclaiming the day occur February 1. On this day many towns have festivals, while other citizens reflect on the freedoms that the United States honors and to appreciate the goodwill of the United States. Wreath-laying at the Liberty Bell has also been a tradition to mark National Freedom Day for many years. Symbols of the day may include a theme about freedom for all Americans.
According to americaslibrary.gov National Freedom Day is defined as:
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
of a joint House and Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
resolution that later became the 13th Amendment
Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution officially abolished and continues to prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It was passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864, passed by the House on January 31, 1865, and adopted on December 6, 1865. On...
to the U.S. Constitution. President Lincoln signed the Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865, although it was not ratified by the states until later.
Major Richard Robert Wright Sr.
Richard R. Wright
Richard Robert Wright, Sr. was an American military officer, educator and college president, politician, civil rights advocate and banking entrepreneur. Among his many accomplishments, he founded a high school, a college and a bank...
, a former slave, believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. While living in Philadelphia towards the end of his life, he invited local and national leaders to meet to organize a movement for a national holiday to commemorate Lincoln's signing of the 13th Amendment. The resulting National Freedom Association proposed having a memorial date to call attention to the continuing struggle for freedom for African-Americans. Since President Lincoln had signed the 13th Amendment on the first day of February, that date was chosen to celebrate National Freedom Day. The first commemoration took place on February 1, 1942, at Independence Hall. As it has every year since, the remembrance included laying a wreath at the Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House , the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY...
.
On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming February 1 as National Freedom Day. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/es/pa/es_pa_free_1_e.html It is not a federal holiday
Federal holiday
In the United States, a federal holiday is a public holiday recognized by the United States federal government. Non-essential federal government offices are closed...
; government offices and banks are open for business.
In the U.S. Code of Ethics at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
National Freedom Day is written in the law books as:
§ 124. National Freedom Day
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.
National Freedom Day has been observed since February 1, 1948 when Truman signed a bill proclaiming the day occur February 1. On this day many towns have festivals, while other citizens reflect on the freedoms that the United States honors and to appreciate the goodwill of the United States. Wreath-laying at the Liberty Bell has also been a tradition to mark National Freedom Day for many years. Symbols of the day may include a theme about freedom for all Americans.
According to americaslibrary.gov National Freedom Day is defined as:
"[t]he purpose of this holiday is to promote good feelings, harmony, and
equal opportunity among all citizens and to remember that the United States is a nation dedicated to the ideal
of freedom.
Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, fought to have a day when freedom for all Americans is
celebrated. When Wright got his freedom, he went on to become a successful businessman and community
leader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Major Wright chose February 1 as National Freedom Day because it was
the day in 1865 that President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution....
The 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in the United States. Wright gathered national and local leaders
together to write a bill declaring February 1 "National Freedom Day" and President Harry Truman signed the
bill in 1948 making it official."