On September 22nd, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which set a date to free roughly 3 million slaves in the United States. The Proclamation stated that all slaves in states still in rebellion would be free in 100 days.

President Lincoln’s decision to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation came after the Union won the Battle of Antietam in September of 1862. On January 1st, 1863, the final Emancipation Proclamation was issued, giving freedom to all those who were still held as slaves.

The proclamation was a presidential order since it had been issued by the President and not by Congress. President Lincoln then fought to create an antislavery amendment in the U.S. Constitution. In January of 1865, he succeeded, and the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery, was passed.

The Emancipation Proclamation was an important part of our nation’s history. To engage your students in learning about this historic moment, please visit EDSITEment! for a list of classroom activities.

More Activities on Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation:
    -  Click here for Lessons by Grade Level
    -  What events led to Lincoln’s Assassination?
    -  What Was at Stake at Antietam?