January 1 Was Celebrated in Black Communities as Emancipation Day, a Commemoration of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation

January 1 was celebrated in Black communities as Emancipation Day, a commemoration of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Here is a newspaper article on Emancipation Day Jan. 1, 1869 in Chaleston, SC.

Charleston Daily News
Saturday, Jan 02, 1869
Charleston, SC
Vol: 7
Page: 4

 

While many white-owned Southern newspapers did straight reporting on Emancipation Day activities, a number of them belittled the blacks or saw the celebrations as a distraction from blacks working.

Anderson intelligencer
Thursday, Jan 07, 1869
Anderson, SC
Vol: 4
Page: 3

 

Here is one of the disparaging variety:

Newberry Herald
Wednesday, Jan 06, 1869
Newberry, SC
Vol: 5
Page: 3

 

This report says that the celebration in Wilmington essentially shut down the city.
Richmond Whig
Tuesday, Jan 05, 1869
Richmond, VA
Vol: 48
Issue: 2
Page: 4

More on the Wilmington celebration:

North-Carolina standard
Wednesday, Jan 06, 1869
Raleigh, NC
Vol: 35
Page: 4

 

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