In the United States, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which declared all slaves in Confederate territory to be free. However, it wasn't until the end of the Civil War and the passage of the 13th Amendment that slavery was officially abolished everywhere in the United States. It's a huge part of American history, and one that's still felt today.
But slavery wasn't just an American issue – it was a global problem. Many countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, had enslaved people from Africa and other parts of the world. It's estimated that between 1526 and 1867, over 12.5 million Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas as slaves. That's a staggering number, and one that's hard to wrap your head around.
So, why should we care about the abolition of slavery? Well, for one thing, it's a major part of human history, and one that's still felt today. Many people's ancestors were slaves, or were affected by the slave trade in some way. It's also a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice that's still happening today.
On this day in history, Sept. 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln proclaims
