National Freedom Day:

Every year on February 1^st, the United States observes this day as the National Freedom Day in honor of the signing of a joint resolution of the House and Senate by President  Abraham Lincoln that later turned into the 13^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Twitter Hashtags:

#NationalFreedomDay

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Related: Other National Days Celebrated on February 1st:

National Serpent Day

National Get Up Day

National Baked Alaska Day

National Texas Day

Why National Freedom Day?

In 1865, on February 1st, President Lincoln signed this amendment that formally outlawed slavery, but it was sanctioned later on 18^th December 1865  by the states.

Freedom is a state where one has the right to act according to one’s own choice without being forced by any explicit restrictions but, of course, without harming others and violating certain civil boundaries. Freedom is what every living soul craves. This day is observed in the name of freedom that achieved victory over slavery. This day is also celebrated, implying America as a symbol of liberty. It is a tribute to the great leader Major Richard Robert Wright Sr. who painted this National Freedom Day and believed in the need for the celebration of this day. President Harry Truman proclaimed 1^st February as the first official National Freedom day of the United States by signing a bill on June 30, 1948, because this day is already very much significant with the signature of President Lincoln dated back in 1865.

How Can We Observe National Freedom Day:

• Several towns and cities host grand celebrations and fests on this national occasion.
• The ceremony of wreath-laying on the Liberty Bell has continued as a tradition for years, preaching the idea of “Let Freedom Ring.”
• On this day, exploring the history of the National Freedom Day by reading journals or watching documentaries are good ways to celebrate the essence of this day.Never forget to share what you found! Use hashtags,#NationalFreedomDay and #FreedomDay
• To observe and understand the significance of this day, one can pay a visit to art galleries and museums which display artifacts related to this.
• The best way to celebrate this day is to give a thorough read to the 13^th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Interesting Facts about National Freedom Day:

• The statement of the 13^th Amendment says that “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. “
• Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., who was once a slave and later a nationwide famous journalist, educator, and political figure, first came up with the idea of National Freedom day.
• In the year 1942, Wright established the National Freedom Day Association. Wright described the purpose of this project in a tone that agreed with President Franklin D. According to Roosevelt, America’s goal stands on the pillars of Four Freedoms:  Freedom of speech and worship and freedom from want and fear. The concept of National Freedom Day abided with the principles that were articulated by President Roosevelt, as Wright mentioned; “This principle implies that all men are not equally entitled to all the freedoms, but some men in seeking to possess and enjoy these freedoms, must realize that they cannot have them without sharing them with others. In practice, they must prove that our declaration of freedom includes all men.”
• National Freedom day bill was introduced as a joint resolution of the House and Senate on 19^th January 1942, and Wright convinced several members for its sponsorship.
• Wright took a journey of 13,000 miles to support a rally arranged in the cause of the bill at the age of 87. Unfortunately, this bill was passed after his death.
• President Obama designates the entire month of January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month in 2010, which culminates into the celebration of National Freedom Day.

History of National Freedom Day:

Major Wright believed there should be a  specific day in the year that should be celebrated for the freedom of all Americans. This joint resolution of the House and Senate was marked with the signature of President Abraham Lincoln on February 1^st, 1865, which is the 13^th Amendment of the United States Constitution. This resolution freed all the slaves in the U.S. This bill was turned into law by President Harry Truman on June 30, 1948, a year after Wright’s death in 1947.

Federal authorization of National Freedom Day is cited in the Legal Information Institute of Cornell University Law School.