Browse Exhibits (2 total)

Emancipation Act Celebrations

The District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln on April 16, 1862, freed all the slaves in Washington DC, and offered compensation to the slave owners.

The District and indeed the nation celebrated the Emancipation Act as the first Congressional bill to prohibit slavery in the United States.

These events continued until 1900, when they were banned by city officials. Movement to reinvigorate enthusiasm for remembering and honoring this Act reemerged in 1991 thanks in part to efforts of Loretta Carter Haynes. Through her work parades began again in 2002 and have continued each year since. On April 5, 2005 the District of Columbia made April 16^th an official holiday for the city.

District of Columbia Emacipation Act, Emancipation Act Celebrations, Parade, Slavery, Washington DC

The District of Columbia Emancipation Act 1862

The exhibit is an assemply of items relevant to the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act.

This exhibit will allow for visualization of the Act itself, and some of the key figures invloved in passing the act.

The second feature of this exhibit explores those affected by the Act - the former slaves and the slave owners.

The third section has two population charts, which explore population changes in the District of Columbia.

Abraham Lincoln, District of Columbia, Emancipation Act, Emancipation Act Petitions, Henry Wilson