Nodaway

The first Emancipation Day was held in Nodaway County in 1870.  The African-American community wanted a celebration to honor emancipation of slaves.  The celebration was held around August 1st and occurred almost every year from 1870 until 1919.  They picked August 1st as the celebration date because that was the day the West Indies slaves were emancipated.

 

The celebration had many events.  These events were attended by both the black and white populations who supported emancipation.  There were speakers who promoted equality and the African-American suffrage.  There were also parades.  The parade often featured the Colored K. and P. Band of Kansas City.  One of the biggest events was the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation given by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

 

The Emancipation Day celebrations ended in 1919 in Nodaway County because the committee was in debt and they could not continue to fund the events in the future. Emancipation celebrations still occur around the world.  Click here to learn about the celebration that occurs annually in Washington, D.C.