February 1st....

I noticed everyone was blogging about it being the first day of February so I thought I would check out the history that went with the day.  Here is what stood out to me.


On February 1, 1865 President Lincoln signed the resolution outlawing slavery.  This resolution would later be ratified and become know as the 13th Amendment.  A former slave, Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., felt that there should be a day when freedom of all Americans was celebrated.  He started the National Freedom Association, made up of local and national leaders, which intern "proposed having a memorial date to call attention to the continuing struggle for freedom for African-Americans." The first commemoration of National Freedom Day took place on February 1, 1942 at Independence Hall.  That year and every year since National Freedom Day has been celebrated with the laying of a wreath at the base of the Liberty Bell. 

According to americaslibrary.gov National Freedom Day is defined as:

"[t]he purpose of this holiday is to promote good feelings, harmony, and equal opportunity among all citizens and to remember that the United States is a nation dedicated to the ideal of freedom."

I am so glad that I took the time to look up this day in history.  I had know idea that National Freedom Day even existed.  This is one of those days we should all stop and take a minute to reflect on all we have in life.  It is so easy to take for granted what we have because we are disconnected from the struggle that took place to get us here.  We must remember that we are still part of the fight to keep moving forward.    



Today I am thankful for our freedom.  I am thankful for those that chose to stand up and fight for what is right.