Celebrate Freedom day

National Freedom Day is a celebration of the signing of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the country. The day is observed annually on February 1st, and serves as a reminder of the progress made towards freedom and equality for all Americans.

The 13th Amendment was introduced by Republican Senator Charles Sumner in 1864, and was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 31st, 1865. It was ratified by the required number of states on December 6th, 1865. The amendment forever changed the face of the United States, guaranteeing freedom and equality to millions of African Americans.

Despite the signing of the 13th Amendment, African Americans continued to face discrimination and prejudice in the decades that followed. The implementation of the amendment was slow and gradual, and African Americans were often subject to violence and segregation. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, African Americans organized and fought for their rights, staging protests, and participating in the civil rights movement.

The fight for civil rights continued throughout the 20th century, with significant milestones along the way. The 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education declared segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional, paving the way for the integration of schools across the country. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, leading to a boycott of the city’s bus system and inspiring the modern civil rights movement. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

National Freedom Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the fight for freedom and equality, and to recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of building a more just society. The 13th Amendment marked a turning point in American history, and set the stage for the struggle for civil rights that continues to this day.

In the years since the signing of the 13th Amendment, African Americans have made significant progress, but there is still much work to be done. Racism and prejudice continue to be a pervasive problem in our society, and African Americans are still disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and unequal access to education and health care.

In order to truly live up to the ideals of National Freedom Day, we must continue to work towards a more just and equitable society. This means advocating for policies that address these disparities, and working to eliminate racism in all its forms. It means speaking out against injustice and standing up for the rights of all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.

In conclusion, National Freedom Day is a day to celebrate the progress made towards freedom and equality, but also to recognize that the work is far from over. We must continue to fight for a society in which all people are treated with dignity and respect, and where everyone has the opportunity to live up to their full potential. On National Freedom Day, let us recommit ourselves to this ongoing work, and work together to build a better, more just future for all Americans.