National Freedom Day (February 1)
Check out the weird holiday National Freedom Day on February 1. Learn the history of freedom day, and get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on February 1 is National Freedom Day. Check out the other weird February holidays!
History of National Freedom Day
On February 1, 1865, Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This amendment outlawed slavery, and it was a joint House and Senate Resolution.
Unlike many of the other holidays on our website, National Freedom Day is an official national holiday. On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill establishing February 1 as this holiday.
It should be noted, however, that this holiday was actually created by Marjor Richard Robert Wright, Sr., who was a former slave. He established the National Freedom Day Association in 1941. Sadly, he passed away in 1947, just one year before his beloved holiday was officially recognized.
The holiday was first celebrated on a large-scale in 1942 in the entire city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law. This act prohibited segregation of public and private spaces, as well as any discrimination, based on sex, color, race, nationality, or religion.
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.
13th Amendment of the United States Constitution
Ideas for National Freedom Day
Here are some ideas for celebrating freedom and abolition.
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