President Obama Marks 150th Anniversary Of Abolishment Of Slavery

[news]

[news]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the 13th Amendment's abolishment of slavery was freedom for all.

The president joined congressional leaders on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the ratification of the amendment to the Constitution.

He said the nation was built on the premise that all are created equal.

 

Watch as @POTUS commemorates the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. #13thAmendment https://t.co/Bj3Fdd7d6v
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

"We betray the efforts of the past if we fail to push back against bigotry in all its forms." —@POTUS #13thAmendment https://t.co/JmxEHBBXwa
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

"We gather here to commemorate a century and a half of freedom—not simply for former slaves, but for all of us." —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

"We condemn ourselves to shackles once more if we fail to answer those who wonder if they’re truly equals in their communities" —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

“Remember that our freedom is bound up with the freedom of others—regardless of what they look like...or what faith they practice.” —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

"We condemn ourselves to shackles once more if we fail to answer those who wonder if they’re truly equals in their communities" —@POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

"Because of them, a Civil Rights law was passed." —@POTUS pic.twitter.com/DFrvekWmYd
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2015

Obama recounted how slavery shaped the nation's politics and nearly tore it asunder in the Civil War.

He said the scars are still with Americans today. He pressed for Americans to push back against bigotry in all forms.

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