Emancipation Day in United States
Quick Facts
Emancipation Day is a state-wide observation in Ohio on September 22.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Emancipation Day | English |
| Día de la Emancipación | Spanish |
Emancipation Day 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012Emancipation Day 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013List of dates for other years
Residents of Ohio commemorate the abolishment of slavery on Emancipation Day, which falls on September 22. Some other states have similar celebrations, but they fall on different dates.
The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863. ©iStockphoto.com/lauradyoung
What do people do?
Emancipation Day has been observed annually since 1863 in Gallia County in south-eastern Ohio, so this celebration is most widely known and usually attracts more than 2000 visitors from Ohio and the rest of the United States. Today's celebration includes concerts, historic re-enactments, food and a wide range of other activities.
Public life
Emancipation Day is not a public holiday in Ohio, but it is a state-wide observation. Offices, banks, businesses and schools are normally open, although this may vary in some cases.
Background
On September 22, 1862, Abraham Lincoln issued a preliminary proclamation, which required all states to abandon slavery within 100 days. It declared all slaves “thenceforth and forever more free”. The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863.
The abolishment of slavery in the United States is celebrated on different dates in other parts of the country. For example, Texas commomorates the liberation of the last remaining slaves on Juneteenth, while residents of Washington DC celebrate Emancipation Day on April 16 each year, remembering the signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act on April 16, 1862.
Emancipation Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Sep 22 | 1980 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 1981 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Wed | Sep 22 | 1982 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Thu | Sep 22 | 1983 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sat | Sep 22 | 1984 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sun | Sep 22 | 1985 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Mon | Sep 22 | 1986 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 1987 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Thu | Sep 22 | 1988 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Fri | Sep 22 | 1989 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sat | Sep 22 | 1990 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sun | Sep 22 | 1991 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 1992 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Wed | Sep 22 | 1993 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Thu | Sep 22 | 1994 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Fri | Sep 22 | 1995 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sun | Sep 22 | 1996 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Mon | Sep 22 | 1997 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 1998 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Wed | Sep 22 | 1999 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Fri | Sep 22 | 2000 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sat | Sep 22 | 2001 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sun | Sep 22 | 2002 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Mon | Sep 22 | 2003 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Wed | Sep 22 | 2004 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Thu | Sep 22 | 2005 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Fri | Sep 22 | 2006 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sat | Sep 22 | 2007 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Mon | Sep 22 | 2008 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 2009 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Wed | Sep 22 | 2010 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Thu | Sep 22 | 2011 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sat | Sep 22 | 2012 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Sun | Sep 22 | 2013 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Mon | Sep 22 | 2014 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
| Tue | Sep 22 | 2015 | Emancipation Day | State holiday | Ohio |
Other holidays in September 2012 in United States
- Labor Day ―Monday, September 3, 2012
- International Literacy Day ―Saturday, September 8, 2012
- Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day ―Saturday, September 8, 2012
- National Grandparents Day ―Sunday, September 9, 2012
- World Suicide Prevention Day ―Monday, September 10, 2012
- Patriot Day ―Tuesday, September 11, 2012
- International Day for South-South Cooperation ―Wednesday, September 12, 2012
- International Day of Democracy ―Saturday, September 15, 2012
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer ―Sunday, September 16, 2012
- Rosh Hashana ―Monday, September 17, 2012
- Constitution Day and Citizenship Day ―Monday, September 17, 2012
- International Talk Like a Pirate Day ―Wednesday, September 19, 2012
- National POW/MIA Recognition Day ―Friday, September 21, 2012
- International Day of Peace ―Friday, September 21, 2012
- September equinox ―Saturday, September 22, 2012
- Yom Kippur ―Wednesday, September 26, 2012
- World Maritime Day ―Thursday, September 27, 2012
- World Tourism Day ―Thursday, September 27, 2012
- World Rabies Day ―Friday, September 28, 2012
- Gold Star Mother's Day ―Sunday, September 30, 2012
- World Heart Day ―Sunday, September 30, 2012
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars