The Emancipation Proclamation: I'll Always Remember Where I Was
This historical prompts requires students to imagine the earth-shaking effect the news of the Emancipation Proclamation had on Americans in 1862. In the spirit of the Emancipation Proclamation, students must write about the biggest news event of their lives and describe its impact.
 
Lesson:

1. Warm-Up: History-Changing Moments (5–10 minutes)

Ask students:

  • Can one announcement change history?
  • What are examples of announcements or news events that had a big impact?
Display a few examples: e.g., Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the moon landing, 9/11, COVID-19 pandemic, social justice movements, or breakthroughs in science or technology.

2. Mini-Lesson: The Emancipation Proclamation (10–15 minutes)

Provide a short overview of the Emancipation Proclamation:

  • Announced by Lincoln on September 22, 1862, after the Battle of Antietam
  • Declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory free as of January 1, 1863
  • Shifted the war’s focus to slavery and made abolition a Union goal
  • Discouraged foreign support for the Confederacy and inspired enslaved people to seek freedom
Explain how a single piece of news can ripple through time and affect millions.

3. Writing Activity (20–25 minutes)

Present the prompt:
“What news event in your life do you think has had the greatest impact on America, or, the world? Write your response below and explain why the event you chose was so meaningful. Explain how your event impacted your country, the world, or even you.”

Encourage students to:

  • Choose an event that feels powerful or meaningful to them
  • Describe the event clearly (what happened, when, where)
  • Explain why they believe it made an impact—personally, nationally, or globally
Let students write independently and support those who may need help brainstorming.

4. Sharing and Discussion (10–15 minutes)

Invite volunteers to share their writing. Ask:

  • What do these events have in common with the Emancipation Proclamation?
  • How does news spread differently now compared to Lincoln’s time?
  • Why is it important to understand how single moments can change history?
Use this as an opportunity to connect historical thinking with current events.

Other Uses:
Morning Work - The activity takes most students about 30 minutes to complete, making it an ideal solution for morning work.
Homework - This activity is a great way to assign homework in social studies or language arts.
Share - Have students share their responses with classmates or, in small groups