BET Presents the Emancipation Day Great Debate: 150 Years Later
Black Entertainment Television sponsors the Great Debate featuring host T.J. Homes. Participants include Rev. Al Sharpton, Michael Eric Dyson and Joe Watkins.
What is Emancipation Day?The DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862 ended slavery in Washington, DC, freed 3,100 individuals, reimbursed those who had legally owned them and offered the newly freed women and men money to emigrate. It is this legislation, and the courage and struggle of those who fought to make it a reality, that we commemorate every April 16, DC Emancipation Day. |