National Freedom Day was signed on February 1, 1865 under President Lincoln, but was not ratified by all the states until later. Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., who was a former slave, began a movement to make National Freedom day a national holiday by organizing local and national leaders. In Philadelphia, at Independence Hall on February 1, 1942, the first commemoration took place with thereafter a annual wreath laying at the Liberty Bell, which is also located in Philadelphia. Officially on June 30th, 1948 under a bill signed by then President Harry Truman, National Freedom day was proclaimed to be on February 1st - the same day President Lincoln signed the 13th amendment outlawing slavery.