emancipation

DC Emancipation Day

Upcoming Events

Apr 17 2026 (All day)

Emancipation Day Full Democracy Luncheon

Apr 18 2026 (All day)

DC250 District of Columbia Kids Ball

Apr 19 2026 (All day)

21st Annual Emancipation Day Parade, Festival and Concert

Latest

Press Releases

Mar 23 2026

Mayor Bowser Invites Residents to Save the Date for DC Emancipation Day Celebration

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser is inviting residents and visitors...

Apr 11 2025

Modified District Government Services for DC Emancipation Day

(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday April 16, District Government will observe the DC...

Apr 9 2025

Mayor Bowser to Host DC Emancipation Day 20th Anniversary Parade, Festival, and Concert

(Washington, DC) – On Sunday, April 13, Mayor Muriel Bowser will host the District’s...

Apr 10 2024

Mayor Bowser to Host 2024 DC Emancipation Day Festivities

(Washington, DC) – Starting on Sunday, April 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser will kick off annual DC...

Apr 7 2017

Mayor Bowser Announces 2017 Emancipation Day Festivities

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off the celebration of the 155th...

DC Emancipation

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John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 419, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 727-6306

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2012: The Sesquicentennial Celebration of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act

Last Date:

This event sponsored by the Afro-American History Society at NARA looks at the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of April 16, 1862. Please arrive early (no later than 10:00AM) with a proper issued government iD (i.e. driver's license or other local or federal government issued I.D. Card) Part of the Howard University Lecture Series.