It was New Year's Day for most folks, but not for America's slaves. For them, January 1, 1863 was Freedom Day. At long last, American slavery would be history. Black folks would now be able to take their rightful place as American citizens. Or would they?

Abraham Lincoln, intent on saving the Union, had lost the battle to avoid war. But he abhorred the institution of slavery and vowed to abolish it. He worked hard on the Presidential Proclamation that would take effect New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, slaves eagerly awaited freedom's morning.