By Chelsea Vance
The Selma Times-Journal

While many are celebrating New Year’s Day Friday, others will be remembering another important date in our country’s history.

Former President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, 1863, a document that helped jumpstart the end of slavery in the United States. The Selma-Dallas County Emancipation Proclamation Committee meets every year to recognize the importance of the document.

“The signing of the Emancipation Proclamation signals the beginning of the end of slavery in the United States of America,” said Maggie Drake-Peterson, who sits as the chair of the committee.

The proclamation stated that “all persons held as slaves are, and henceforward shall be free” in rebellious states.

The ceremony will include keynote speaker Dr. Robert White, chair of African-American studies at Alabama State University.

Drake said F.D. Reese and his wife, Alline, will also be honored at the ceremony.

Other guests will include choirs of the Selma City School System, Tipton-Durant Middle School students who will be reading the Emancipation Proclamation and two Keith Middle/High School students that are finalists for the “Speak Out Loud” poetry competition.

“We give young people an opportunity to read about [the proclamation] and understand the significance,” Peterson said. “Without history, there is no future.”

Peterson invites everyone to come out and be a part of the celebration. Guests should meet Friday at the House of Prayer Church at 216 Selmont St at 11 a.m.