Abolition of Slavery

Hello. I am a very special idea. Before people knew my name, I was a feeling in their hearts. I was the happy feeling of running and playing outside. I was the feeling that everyone should be able to choose their own path, like a little bird flying free in the big blue sky. I am the little whisper that says, 'It isn't fair for one person to own another person'. I am the thought that everyone, everywhere deserves to be free.

For a long, long time, my whisper was very quiet. But good and kind people heard me. They started to speak up for me, making my voice a little louder, and then a little louder. In a place far away called Great Britain, leaders made a new rule in 1833 that helped many people become free. Later, in a country called the United States, a very kind president named Abraham Lincoln made a super important announcement in 1863. It was called the Emancipation Proclamation, and it was a giant step toward freedom for all. Then, on December 6th, 1865, a very important rule called the Thirteenth Amendment was made. This rule said that slavery was not allowed anymore, forever and ever. I am the idea that made all of this happen. I am Abolition.

Today, I am a promise that we all share together. I am like a happy song that reminds people to be fair and kind to everyone, no matter what they look like or where they come from. I help you remember that every single person is important and deserves to be happy and safe. I am the song of freedom that we can all sing together. When we sing it, we help make the world a better, kinder, and more wonderful place for everyone to live and play in.