National Freedom Day

As we begin Black History Month, we wanted to share what would be considered the motivation behind this month’s celebration and the United States Army major who played a pivotal role in  creating what we know as National Freedom Day.

On January 31, 1865, the United States Congress passed a resolution proposing the 13th Amendment to end slavery in the United States. President Abraham Lincoln approved the Resolution on February 1 and sent it to the states for ratification. In December 1865, Georgia ratified the proposed amendment surpassing the three-fourths of states required for amendment approval by Article V of the U.S. Constitution, and slavery was formally banned in the United States.

Richard Robert Wright Sr. , born into slavery and freed after the Civil War, served in the United States Army during the Spanish-American War. He was commissioned as a major and appointed Paymaster by President McKinley. After the war, Major Wright attended the Wharton School of Business and in 1921 opened the Citizens and Southern Bank and Trust Company. At that time, it was the only bank in the North owned by an African American

On February 1, 1941, Major Wright invited national and local leaders to a meeting in Philadelphia to develop a plan to celebrate the signing of the 13th Amendment, as he argued the ratification of the 13th Amendment, rather than the Emancipation Proclamation, freed all of the enslaved Americans. On February 1, 1942, the City of Philadelphia commemorated the 13th Amendment by laying a wreath at the Liberty Bell. Unfortunately Major Wright died in 1947 before seeing his dream fulfilled.

On June 30, 1948, the United States Congress approved Joint Resolution 37 authorizing the President to issue a proclamation designating February 1 as National Freedom Day to commemorate President Lincoln’s signing of the 13th Amendment. President Harry Truman issued Proclamation 2824 on January 25, 1949, formally designating February 1 as National Freedom Day. In the proclamation, President Truman called upon Americans to pause “in solemn contemplation of the glorious blessings of freedom which we humbly and thankfully enjoy.”

On February 1, join us in reflecting upon the freedoms we enjoy. Learn more about the 13th Amendment. Tell your friends and neighbors that February 1 is National Freedom Day in addition to the first day of Black History Month. Do your part to help raise awareness of National Freedom Day and assist in getting it the recognition it deserves.