Celebrating Black History: Key Events from April 16-22, 2025

APRIL 16,1862—President Abraham Lincoln enacts legislation abolishing slavery in Washington, D.C. Nine months later, he issues the Emancipation Proclamation, which, while emotionally charged, initially liberated few. It specifically targeted Southern slaves, over whom Lincoln had limited authority.1929—Roy Hamilton, an iconic voice in African American history, is born in Leesburg, Georgia. Hamilton's powerful baritone captivated audiences in the 1950s with hits like “Unchained Melody” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”