PBS resource devoted to African-American history features an overview of the Proclamation's history and a transcription of its text.

Read a transcription of Lincoln's famous Emancipation Proclamation issued on Jan. 1, 1863.

University of Maryland research center provides published accounts of black life following emancipation. View article excerpts and a chronology.

Encyclopedia article discusses the causes that led to the issuance of the emancipation proclamation and Lincoln's true purpose.

Atlantic Monthly magazine features a look at the full-text of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Educational resource offers a brief overview of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and offers former slaves' thoughts on the speech.