John Malveaux: 'At midnight, January 1, 1863, Confederate slaves everywhere dropped to their knees and thanked God'

John Malveaux of www.MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

Prior to 1862, New Year's Eve was a somber occasion for slaves. This was the day when plantation owners tallied up their business accounts for first day of each new year. Debts would need to be paid by the first of each year, so human property was sold, along with land and furnishings. It was a tragic time, when families were split apart forever.

But on Dec. 31, 1862, American slaves impatiently waited for the stroke of midnight, which would signify the adoption of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which he had signed on Sept. 22, 1862. This action legally guaranteed the freedom of slaves in all Confederate states. At midnight, January 1, 1863, Confederate slaves everywhere dropped to their knees and thanked God for their freedom. The occasion that year would come to be known as “Freedom’s Eve”.

Though we all know the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t take effect immediately in all states, the time-honored tradition of African-Americans gathering together to bring in the New Year under religious standards still lives during Watch Night.