Document Bank of Virginia
Search using this query type:

Search only these record types:


Advanced Search (Items only)

Parade Celebrating the Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in Hampton Roads, 1944

CONTENT WARNING

Materials in the Library of Virginia’s collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation. 

Context

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared freedom to enslaved people within states that were in rebellion against the United States. All enslaved people in Virginia were to be free, but this could only be enforced in areas controlled by the Union army and as such, a small number of Virginian counties and parts of western Virginia were excluded from having to enforce emancipation efforts. In issuing the proclamation, it became clear that the western part of Virginia would become a separate state with a new name.

There were several localities in Virginia where enslavement continued under the laws of Virginia. These localities included: the upper Potomac River Valley County of Berkeley, two Eastern Shore counties of Accomack and Northhampton, the Hampton Roads counties of Princess Anne and York, and the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth. In many of these areas, the established presence of the Union army had already allowed people who ran away from enslavement to live in freedom. In the remainder of Virginia, when they were present, the Union Army did their best to enforce the terms of the Emancipation Proclamation.  However, this did not free all enslaved Virginians. In most of Virginia, a majority of men, women, and children who were enslaved when the Civil War began, continued to live as such until the war ended in April 1865.

The Emancipation Proclamation had a direct impact on the governmental structure and created unusual legal problems -- two states of Virginia, each with its own governments within the Commonwealth. One remained loyal to the United States and was created in the summer of 1861, which restored part of Virginia to the Union. The capital lay in Wheeling until June 1863 when it was moved to Alexandria. The other part of Virginia was that of the Confederate States of America, with its capital in Richmond.

In 1944, a parade was held to mark the 81st Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Sections of the 3166th Quartermaster Service Company and 3167th Quartermaster Service Company, and the color guard unit from Camp Hill marched down Jefferson Avenue in Newport News. Shipyard workers' floats and the Camp Hill Band also marched in the parade.

Citation: U.S. Army Signal Corps. Parade Celebrating the 81st Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, 1944, Print & Photographs, Special Collections, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Standards

VS.1, VS.9, USI.1, USI.9, USII.1, USII.3, VUS.1, VUS.7, GOVT.8

Suggested Questions

Preview Activity

Look at It: Look at the photograph. What appears to be happening in the photograph? What do you notice about the people who are the subject of the photograph?

Post Activities

Think About It: Why do you think Virginia was so divided by the Emancipation Proclamation? Provide examples and explain.

Virginia Validation: How do you think the Emancipation Proclamation affected other states? Do you think Virginia's experiences were similar to them?

Social Media Spin: Imagine you are attending and watching this parade, create a social media post in which you explain the experience and/or importance of the event.