Emancipation Day Breakfast

Emancipation Day is a day of REJOICING!

On January 1st, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved African Americans in the South. This proclamation inspired many to run away and join the frontlines of the Union army. After fighting, many decided to commemorate this proclamation, thus Emancipaton Day was born.

Usually celebrated on January 1st in North Carolina, Emancipation Day was full of celebrations including parades, dances, and speeches. While women helped plan these celebrations, it would be Raleigh's "Leading Black Men" who would enjoy the credit and advise the race on Civil Rights.

Black women like Anna Julia Cooper rarely spoke at these clebrations even though she was just as capable as them. Born enslaved in 1858 in Raleigh, Cooper was a prominent advocate for Civil Rights, Women's Rights, and Education. She would live long enough to see the Civil Rights Movement of 1960s.

Join us for breakfast while learning about Anna Julia Cooper! Lecture presented by Dr. Shirley Moody-Turner.

This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, www.nchumanities.org

Host or Publisher Friends of COR Museum