November 1, 2026, marked 162 years since slavery was officially abolished in Maryland. However, many people don’t realize that enslaved Black Marylanders were not freed by President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Because Maryland remained part of the Union during the Civil War, the proclamation did not apply to the state. According to the Maryland State Archives, slavery continued in Maryland until November 1, 1864, when a new state constitution officially abolished it.
Even then, freedom was not easily won. According to the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition, Maryland’s new constitution passed by just 375 votes, with ballots from Union soldiers making the difference. But the challenges didn’t end there. Former enslavers continued to exploit Black families through apprenticeship laws that allowed children to be separated from their parents and forced into labor. A University of Maryland Law historical study highlights the story of Leah Coston, a formerly enslaved mother who fought to free her two sons from this system. Her experience shows that even after slavery was legally abolished, Black Marylanders still had to fight to protect their freedom and their families.
Maryland is home to the legacies of freedom fighters like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, whose courage helped shape the fight against slavery. At the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. , we believe that remembering this history means recognizing both the progress made and the injustices that followed. As we recognize Maryland Emancipation Day, we encourage our communities to learn more about the state’s history, share these stories, and continue working toward a future where freedom and equality are more than promises on paper. Watch our Maryland Emancipation Day Instagram reel to learn more and help spread awareness.
