The Civil War:
The Emancipation Proclamation
Thurs, Oct 20 • 10:30-11:30 am
In-person at Sanford
Thurs, Oct 27 • 10:30-11:30 am
In-person at Trailside

Join educator (and Civil War buff) Mike Trebilcock for an interactive program looking at all aspects of the American Civil War – from its causes to its legacy and memory. Anyone with an interest in the Civil War – expert and novice alike – is encouraged to attend.

After the Union “victory” at the Battle of Antietam, President Abraham Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation which declared that as of January 1, 1863, “all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

In this program we will look at the final factors influencing President Lincoln to make this decision, what the Emancipation Proclamation actually says, the reactions to this extraordinary act of presidential power and the consequences for the war.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery in the United States. It only applied to the seceded states who were in rebellion. Loyal slave states and parts of the Confederacy already under Union control were exempt. The freedom it promised depended solely upon Union military victory.

The Emancipation Proclamation transformed the war into a fight for human freedom. It added moral purpose and greatly strengthened the Union cause. The Proclamation announced that black men would be accepted into the Union Army and Navy. By the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union and freedom.

As a milestone along the path to slavery’s eventual destruction, the Emancipation Proclamation is one of the great documents of human freedom.

Reserve your spot below or by calling 989-633-3700! Online registration is available up until 2 hours prior to the program start time. If you are attempting to register less than 2 hours prior, please call 989-633-3700 for assistance.

Trailside Civil War registrants: Please enter through the main entrance or by the library and proceed directly to room 160. There will be an extra lunch sign-in sheet there so that you will not need to enter Trailside until after the program. This helps our Line Dancing group that meets in Trailside at the same time to remain uninterrupted. Thank you!