A Forgotten Anniversary

I have not watched a lot of news this New Year's Day. What little TV I have seen, beside the Parade of Roses in Pasadena, CA, has been re-runs, substitute anchors, and a little fiscal cliff talk.

In fact, had it not been for a column by Ken Blackwell, I would have not remembered that it was exactly 150 years ago today, on January 1, 1863, that President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation! Some may argue that the important date was December 6, 1865, nearly three years later, when the 13th Amendment to The Constitution was ratified, making slavery unconstitutional.

But President Lincoln's proclamation got the ball rolling and is the event most indelible in the minds of Americans. Most people would respond with a blank look if you referenced the 13th Amendment. But, say "Emancipation Proclamation" and everyone knows what it means.

It happened on New Year's Day, 150 years ago! Could not the theme of the Parade of Roses been dedicated to the commemoration of that most significant event in American history, instead of the puzzling "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"?

Does anyone care about 'oh, the places we've been'?