From Slave Markets to Church Pews: The Dual History of America's New Year

While January 1 was traditionally known as "Hiring Day" or "Heartbreak Day" during slavery—when enslaved people were rented out or sold in town squares with complete disregard for family bonds—the date took on new meaning with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This historic moment transformed the sorrowful tradition into Watch Night services, where enslaved African Americans gathered in churches on New Year's Eve, holding all-night prayer services filled with hope and anticipation for freedom. Today, Watch Night services continue as a powerful living tradition in Black American communities, connecting contemporary congregations to their ancestral history while commemorating both the pain of Hiring Day and the triumph of liberation.