President Lincoln Signs the Emancipation Proclamation - This Day in History – Sept 22nd

Back in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln chose a date to establish a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.  This was an agreement to issue freedom to more than 3 million black slaves in the U.S.

Since this proclamation was a Presidential order, Lincoln was able to bypass Congress and set this law into permanence under the U.S. Constitution.

According to history.com, “With the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, slavery was eliminated throughout America (although blacks would face another century of struggle before they truly began to gain equal rights).”

Note: A handwritten draft of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was destroyed in the Chicago Fire of 1871.  However there is an original document located in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. 

Friends Premieres on NBC

Back in 1994, six actors came together to debut a soon to be highly popular show on NBC, called Friends.  The cast includes Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry.

After 10 seasons, in 2004, more than 50 million viewers watched the final episode making this one of the most watched TV finales in history.

First “Farm Aid” concert debuts

Back in 1985, a benefit concert to support farmers was held in Champaign Illinois called “Farm Aid.”  The musical artist that attended this event included legends such as Johnny Cash, John Denver, Bob Dylan and Bon Jovi.

According to history.com, “Over the years since its first charity concert on this day in 1985, the Farm Aid organization has raised upwards of $33 million to support small farmers, promote sustainable farming practices and encourage consumption of "good food from family farms.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-quotfarm-aidquot-concert-is-held-in-champaign-illinois?catId=13