Emancipation Proclamation, Narrated by Thavolia Glymph

Thavolia Glymph is an author and a professor of history and law at Duke University. Her research, writing, and teaching focus on slavery, emancipation, Reconstruction, labor, and women in the U.S South. Signed by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared that all enslaved people living in states fighting against the Union were legally free and allowed black men to join the Union Army.

250 to 250

From the time of our country’s founding 250 years ago, the story of America has been one of the constant efforts of Americans—from all races, ethnicities, genders, and abilities—to make real the belief that we are all created equal and have a right to have a say in our democracy. We will be telling their stories over the next several weeks because now, as ever, “We Are America.”

Follow Along | #WeAreAmerica250

Notes

Unless otherwise noted, all images used in this video are in the public domain.

General Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson during the American Civil War, painting by Augusto FerrerDalmau. 07 August 2025. Harrison W. Mark. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons AttributionShare Alike 4.0 International license.