American Experience

Lincoln Announces Freedom

Clip: Season 1 | 2m 3s

On September 22nd, 1862, Lincoln promised to sign an Emancipation Proclamation on New Year's Day. "All persons," Lincoln wrote, "held as slaves within any State in rebellion shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." But abolitionists were unsure whether he would keep his promise.

Aired: 01/08/13

Rating: NR

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