In 1861, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation and it became law in 1863. To Black America, this was a joyous occasion, a date to celebrate. President Lincoln declared that the days of slavery were history.
The Proclamation of Emancipation was celebrated in Kansas as the "Lincoln Day Celebration" in Atchinson. The event brought together African Americans from all over Kansas and surrounding states. It was decided this would be an annual event.
In 1889 Hutchinson, being centrally located, became the official site for the Emancipation Day Celebration. Ever since, it has been an annual event right here in Hutchinson.
The 1932 Celebration was perhaps the greatest ever. There were no public accommodations for Black Americans in Hutchinson and the City Park Board had to vote to let the Blacks use the swimming pool for the day. These facts did not stop some eight to ten thousand African Americans from converging in Hutchinson to celebrate Emancipation! Congressman Oscar DePriest of Chicago was the guest speaker. Activities included a parade down the Main Street, a baseball tournament, and a beauty contest with 31 women participating. The two day event ended with a formal ball at the Convention Hall.
And so the tradition continues. Towards this year's fund raising efforts, the Emancipation Celebration Committee is organizing the sale of buttons and T-shirts. The highlights of this year's 3-Day celebration will be the Jazz Concert & art show, gospel concert, golf tournament, various sports activities, a Parade and many other events. Each year the number of activities grows and so does the community involvement. Each year the Committee strives for and achieves more support and involvement from the Community as a whole and cultural awareness for all.
