Browse Items (19 total)

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…

These photos represent a small snap shot of the multitude of various events and activities that occur each ear in the District of Columbia to celebrate their official holiday - Emancipation Day.

Senator Blanche K. Bruce was a former Virginian slave, who through ambition and drive advanced to become the first African American to preside of the US Senate.

Langston was the first African American elected to Congress from Virginia. He was one of the many prominent African Americans who addressed Emancipation Act celebration participants.

This is an example of one of the 966 petitions filled for compensation following the District of Columbia Emancipation Act, which offered $300 per slave to legal slave owners in the District. These petitions have been transcribed by Civil War…

This is a chart created to show that despite allegations of the city being being overrun by the newly freed African Americans in the 1860s, the city actually just grew in general. It was not until after the 1960 that the African American population…

The information shows the fast paced changes in the African American population in the District of Columbia. Reflects the total population numbers, but also indicates the number that were enslaved versus those whom were freed.

This is the original Act and translation, which abolished slavery in the District of Columbia drafted by Senator Henry Wilson and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. This item gives you a visual of the bill and a complete translation of the…

Slaves from Southern states came to Washington, DC to seek refuge from their southern slave holders. These persons were awaiting a visit from Abraham Lincoln at Camp Barker, located a mile north of of the White House in 1862. Click here to view image…

This is a short video created by the National Archives which provides information about the what we have been able to learn about the enslaved persons in Washington, DC. Click here for VIDEO.