Today in History: The Emancipation Proclamation

Preliminary emancipation proclamation

Today in History–September 22–the Library of Congress features the Emancipation Proclamation. On this day in 1862, just over five months after signing an act abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia, President Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary version of this historic act, which was officially proclaimed on January 1, 1863. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access a treasure trove of related primary sources.

Emancipation Proclamation overview & timeline

Teachers’ Emancipation Proclamation primary source set

Emancipation Proclamation exhibition: primary source items

First Emancipation Proclamation

Facsimile of the Emancipation Proclamation

Correspondence related to the Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation printed ephemera & other texts

Timeline & select newspaper articles: Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation sheet music

Emancipation Proclamation image set

Forever Free Library of Congress Blog January 11, 2013

Timely Connections: Frederick Douglass & the Emancipation Memorial learning activity

Related resources