Freedom's Eve

Freedom’s Eve‏ (Watch Night Meetings)

On New Year’s Eve in 1862, many members of the black American community gathered together for their most special New Year’s yet.  Previously, they gathered together each year in homes, or churches, and held prayer and worship services from late evening until midnight when the clock would finally strike 12 midnight.  Once in the New Year, they would give thanks, pray, and confess.  These events were called, Watch Night Meetings.  But this year they had one more thing to look forward to, and that was the Emancipation Proclamation finally taking full affect. The Emancipation Proclamation was a document which freed all slaves in the confederate states. Although “watch meetings” are no longer as popular as they once were in the 1800's, this is one of the many things that defined how the African American community would find strength within each others company.  December 31, 1862 was the mark of the last chapter in a very long arduous journey for the African American community.  While, January 1st, 1863 was the promise of new beginnings.  African Americans gathered just as they normally would, but this time saying good bye to the shackles in which society had them.  The African American race was finally free.  January 1, 1863 marked a new day, a new chapter, and a new freedom.