emancipation

DC Emancipation Day

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Emancipation Day

The District of Columbia officially celebrates Emancipation Day on April 16th.

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.

2019 Recap Video

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Press Releases

Apr 12 2018

Mayor Bowser to Host Emancipation Day Full Democracy Champions Breakfast

The discussion will include Congressional attempts to overturn DC’s gun laws.

Apr 7 2017

Mayor Bowser Announces 2017 Emancipation Day Festivities

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

Apr 15 2016

Scheduled Street Closures: 2016 Emancipation Day Parade

Some closures begin at 7:30 am Saturday, April 16.

Apr 13 2016

Mayor Bowser Announces 2016 Emancipation Day Festivities

The theme for this year’s Emancipation Day is Championing Full Democracy for the residents of...

Apr 12 2016

Mayor Bowser and DC Council to Hold Pre-Emancipation Day Press Conference

On Wednesday, April 13 at 10 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser, At-large Councilmember Vincent Orange, At-...

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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Education in the Emancipation Era

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Suddenly free, with little or no means to feed themselves, without shelter, no means of self-support, and literally owning nothing but the clothes on their backs, newly freed enslaved people now faced another insurmountable challenge to their very existence.