National Freedom Day is an important observance in Black history that commemorates the date of February 1, 1865. On this day, President Abraham Lincoln signed a joint resolution of Congress that proposed the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would abolish slavery in the country. This monumental step towards freedom for enslaved African Americans paved the way for the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865.

National Freedom Day was established by Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave who became a prominent African American educator and military leader. He believed that the abolition of slavery should be celebrated as a significant milestone in American history. The observance of National Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the progress made in the struggle for equal rights and freedom for all Americans, and it encourages reflection on the ongoing challenges faced in the pursuit of justice and equality.