Gibbs, Johnathan was born a freeman in Pennsylvania of US in 1827. He was originally trained as a carpenter till 1848. After attaining graduation degree for a year he enrolled in the seminary at Princeton University. During the 1850s Gibbs was a political activist who battled for rights of Afro American people. He launched a movement for the expansion of Black male suffrage in New York. He also joined the freed men’s relief efforts and fought segregation on New York city street cars.
“A day to celebrate Emancipation” is counted as one of the best speeches where he roused African American to celebrate their emancipation in Philadelphia praising the efforts of African Americans. He held various offices such as Vice President of Pennsylvania state equal Rights league and secretary of State of Florida in 1860. In 1872, he was also appointed Superintendent Of Public Education. He was also a member of Republican Party.
After delivering the speech in a meeting at a Republican in 1874 Gibbs died unexpectedly that night. The reason behind his death is still obscure few of his supporters claim that he was poisoned by his political rivals. He is widely respected for his accomplishment for promoting illiterate blacks and ran ex-confederate states during the Reconstruction era. Gibbs a prominent black activist and political moved south to help freedmen who were left at mercy of God after a civil war. He was instrumental in Reconstruction, opening schools for former slaves and missionary work. He is also respected for his teaching uneducated.