---
title: Reading the Emancipation Proclamation
author: James W. Watts
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/22187/reading-the-emancipation-proclamation/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-09-22
---
# Reading the Emancipation Proclamation
_Authored by James W. Watts_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/22187.jpg)
## Image Caption
*Reading the Emancipation Proclamation*, print from a steel engraving by James W. Watts after Henry Walker Herrick, 1863.
On 1 January 1863, in the midst of the [American Civil War](https://www.worldhistory.org/American_Civil_War/), the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, declaring all persons held in bondage in the secessionist states to be free. Here, an enslaved African American family listens as a Union soldier reads the order.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Watts, J. W. (2026, September 22). Reading the Emancipation Proclamation. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Watts, James W.. "Reading the Emancipation Proclamation." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 22, 2026. .
### MLA
Watts, James W.. "Reading the Emancipation Proclamation." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Sep 2026, .
## License & Copyright
The public domain content above is from the [Library of Congress](http://www.loc.gov/). You can copy it freely. [Original image](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003678043/) by [**James W. Watts**](https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003678043/). Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 22 September 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.