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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