June 18, 1962 - The House of Representatives passed today and sent to the Senate a bill to designate next Jan. 1 as “Emancipation Proclamation Day.” One hundred years ago on that day, President Abraham Lincoln (pictured in 1862) issued the proclamation that freed the slaves held in the Southern States. In addition, the Proclamation allowed for the recruitment of former slaves into the paid service of the United States armed forces.
Comments