(MintPress) – Thought every day was Freedom Day in America? Technically, Feb. 1 is the designated day of observance, yet few celebrate the date with the same vigor and patriotic celebration that comes along with the Fourth of July.
Freedom Day marks the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s signature on a joint resolution proposal for the Thirteenth Amendment, which stated that “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.”
In 1885, that signature signified the official abolishment of slavery in the U.S.
“The 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,” according to the Library of Congress.
But it wasn’t Lincoln who envisioned the date as an annual commemoration of the monumental event. It was Richard R. Wright, a man who was born into slavery and, through freedom, went on to accomplish both academic and business success.
Wright lived a remarkable life. After emancipation, he graduated from college, served in the Army and founded the nation’s first African-American owned bank. His resume also included involvement in politics, publishing, journalism, real estate and public affairs, according to the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center.
While he was known as a pioneer in many fields, he’s most renowned for his involvement with the creation of Freedom Day and the Freedom Day Association. In 1941, he began his quest to establish National Freedom Day. On Feb. 1 of that year, he gathered local and national leaders in Philadelphia to discuss and advocate for the creation of its observance.
Yet it wasn’t until a year after Wright passed away that his dream became a reality. The bill establishing it as a federal day of observance was passed by the House and Senate, and was signed into law by Harriet Truman June 30, 1948.
It was not given the status of Independence Day, which is considered a national holiday, but the recognition of the day proved pivotal for Wright and others who supported his cause.
Since that time, little fanfare has been given to National Freedom Day. There are no over-the-top displays of fireworks, no community-wide barbecues. Yet it exists, and remains a day for many Americans to pause and take notice of the nation’s past, recognizing trailblazers who advocated for change and equality.
Now, that’s a reason to celebrate.