Emancipation Day, marking Abraham Lincoln's 1862 proclamation
abolishing slavery, was a significant holiday for Black
Nebraskans. For former slaves and their descendants, September
22 was the real Independence Day. Although the Emancipation
Proclamation signed on that date only affected slaves in
Confederate states, and didn't go into effect until January 1,
1863, Emancipation Day came to symbolize Black hopes for
equality and justice. Celebrations were organized in a number of
Nebraska communities. One of the earliest was the 1878 fete held
in Lincoln. There were parades to and from the special railroad
coaches bringing speakers and celebrants to the city, a Lincoln
brass band concert, a picnic, and a ball at the "Academy of
Music." Featured orators included Horace G. Newsom of Hastings,
publisher of the state's first Negro newspaper. Nebraska City's
1902 affair was even grander. A large contingent accompanied by
a cornet band arrived from Omaha on the Missouri Pacific. They
feasted at an ox roast at Morton'