Emancipation Proclamation (Executive Order)
Summary
While formally a presidential proclamation, this executive action declared that all enslaved persons in Confederate states 'shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.' It transformed the Civil War into an explicit fight for freedom, authorized the enlistment of Black soldiers, and laid the groundwork for the Thirteenth Amendment.
Topics
Related Executive Orders
Designation of Customs Collection Districts
Abraham Lincoln — October 20, 1862
Authorizing the Secretary of War to Prescribe Military Areas
Franklin D. Roosevelt — February 19, 1942
Desegregation of the Armed Forces
Harry S. Truman — July 26, 1948
Desegregation of Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas
Dwight D. Eisenhower — September 23, 1957
Establishing the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
John F. Kennedy — March 6, 1961
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.