Emancipation in Black history refers to the legal act of freeing enslaved individuals in the United States. The most well-known instance of emancipation in Black history occurred with the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War. This executive order declared that all enslaved individuals in Confederate-held territory were to be set free.

While the Emancipation Proclamation was a significant step towards ending slavery, it did not immediately free all enslaved individuals in the United States. The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1865, officially abolished slavery nationwide and signaled the formal end of chattel slavery in America.

Emancipation brought about a new chapter in Black history, as formerly enslaved individuals sought to build lives free from the bonds of slavery. However, the legacy of slavery continued to impact African Americans through segregation, discrimination, and systemic racism that persisted for generations. Emancipation remains a pivotal moment in Black history, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for freedom, equality, and justice.