By NANCY WELCH
At their April 4 work session, Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor and city councilmembers affirmed a resolution formally recognizing Nov. 1 as Emancipation Day in the city. The date pays tribute to Nov. 1, 1864, the date on which the state adopted a new constitution that abolished slavery. Council President Kyla Clark (Ward 2) briefly described the state’s history of slavery and emancipation to the mayor and council, as well as to city residents attending the virtual work session.
The city of Laurel’s resolution parallels the Maryland legislature, where lawmakers are considering a bill that would formalize Nov. 1 as a state holiday. If passed, the bill would grant state employees leave on that date. In formalizing the holiday, the bill would also release the governor from the responsibility of annually declaring the importance of the date.
Maryland’s history of slavery spanned more than 200 years. In 1642, 13 Africans were brought to St. Mary’s City, the colony’s first European settlement and capital. (St. Mary’s City, founded in 1634 on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, was the fourth-oldest European settlement in the colonies and the first to uphold religious freedom.) Slaves were brought to Maryland largely to work in the labor-intensive tobacco growing and processing industries. The neighboring colony of Virginia imported slaves from Africa for this purpose, too.
In 1664, the Maryland Assembly established what was known as perpetual slavery, mandating that enslaved people would be slaves for life. To ensure that the enslaved population would remain relatively steady over time, the state also mandated that their lineage would be matriarchal – passing from mother to child (in contrast to the European tradition of patriarchal lineage). Under these laws, children born to enslaved parents would never see freedom. A child born to a white father and an enslaved mother would be enslaved for life, too.
By the mid-1700s, the state had also outlawed manumission, the freeing of a slave by their owner.
“Maryland’s path to emancipation was a little unique and complex,” Clark said during her presentation. “As a border state during the Civil War, Maryland remained in the Union but still permitted slavery.”
The Emancipation Proclamation, which President Lincoln signed in 1863, freed slaves only in states that were in rebellion during the Civil War. In adopting the new state constitution, in 1864, Maryland freed approximately 87,000 enslaved people. The 13th Amendment, which freed slaves throughout the nation, was passed on Dec. 6, 1865 – 13 months later.
Clark noted this timing. “This date [in 1864] is particularly significant because Maryland ended slavery … before the 13th Amendment abolished slavery nationwide,” she said. “Instead, Maryland achieved emancipation through its own constitutional process, after a heated debate and political struggle, and voters narrowly approved a new state constitution that abolished slavery.”
Emancipation Day has long been recognized in Maryland, especially in communities with significant African American populations. “[Emancipation Day] is celebrated with educational programs, some community gatherings and ceremonies honoring this crucial moment in the state’s history,” Clark said.
She noted that many locations mark Emancipation Day on the first Saturday in November.
“But here in Laurel,” Clark said, “We have a long-standing tradition where it is celebrated the first Saturday in September … at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Laurel’s Emancipation Day celebration has also been in existence for more than 100 years.”
Councilmember Jeffrey Mills (Ward 2) asked if formally recognizing Nov. 1 as Emancipation Day would override celebrations at St. Mark’s, or if the council’s resolution would mandate a second annual observance in the city. “When you mention the celebration at St. Mark’s Church … is there going to be two celebrations, or this is a resolution for setting [this observance] into law?” he asked.
Clark emphasized that the resolution recognizes the importance of Nov. 1 but does not diminish or replace celebrations taking place on other dates. “St. Mark’s is a very large celebration within our city, right? And it’s great to also recognize [Nov. 1] locally … it shows extra emphasis that it’s really important to us, and we cherish our residents and acknowledge it locally.”
In closing her presentation, Clark underscored why recognizing Maryland’s Emancipation Day holds value for the city of Laurel. “This local recognition shows that our city values this history as our own identity and heritage, not just as a state observance. It also provides Laurel the opportunity to highlight our city’s unique historical connection to emancipation and contributions of formerly enslaved people directly connected to Laurel,” she said, adding, “Lastly, it sends a powerful message about our values towards equality, freedom, promoting inclusive civic identity … while acknowledging some difficult historical truths.”
