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emancipation

DC Emancipation Day
 

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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.

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Apr 10 2024
Mayor Bowser to Host 2024 DC Emancipation Day Festivities
Sunday, April 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser will kick off annual DC Emancipation Day festivities that the...
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-...

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DC Emancipation

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

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser to Celebrate 2023 DC Emancipation Day

Last Date:


Join us for a celebration of DC Emancipation Day with a parade led by Mayor Muriel Bowser, a concert featuring local and national artists, and a fireworks display to end the night!

Emancipation Day honors President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Compensated Emancipation Act in 1862, which freed over 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia.

All events are free to the public!

To request reasonable accommodations, please call (202) 442-8150.

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