The Emancipation Proclamation was a historic executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War. The proclamation declared that all enslaved persons in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately end slavery in the United States, as it only applied to Confederate states, it was a significant step towards the eventual abolition of slavery.

For African Americans, the Emancipation Proclamation held great importance as it symbolized their liberation from the bonds of slavery and represented a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom and equality. It also paved the way for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which formally abolished slavery in all states.

The Emancipation Proclamation continues to be celebrated in Black history as a landmark moment in the struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States. It is remembered as a crucial turning point that helped advance the cause of freedom and justice for African Americans.