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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Latest
Apr 10 2024
Sunday, April 14, Mayor Muriel Bowser will kick off annual DC Emancipation Day festivities that the...
Apr 7 2017
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser kicked off the celebration of the 155th anniversary...
Apr 15 2016
Some closures begin at 7:30 am Saturday, April 16.
Apr 13 2016
The theme for this year’s Emancipation Day is Championing Full Democracy for the residents of...
Apr 12 2016
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated...
DC Emancipation
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John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 419, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 727-6306
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 419, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 727-6306
